Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

American politician
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 17th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2019 (2019-January-06)
Preceded byLaura Fine
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
Residence(s)Glenview, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materIndiana University (BA)
Loyola University (JD)
Northwestern University (LLM)
OccupationIllinois State Representative
ProfessionHuman Rights Attorney[1]
CommitteesImmigration & Human Rights Committee (Chairperson); Energy & Environment; Judiciary - Civil (Chairperson); Mental Health & Addiction
WebsiteILGA Page

Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 17th district. The 17th district includes all or parts of Evanston, Glenview, Golf, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette.[2]

Electoral career

Gong-Gershowitz received the Democratic nomination in the election to succeed Rep. Laura Fine, who was not seeking re-election and instead running for Illinois State Senate. Gong-Gershowitz won the 2018 general election with 69.2% of the vote and was re-elected in 2020. She was sworn in to her second term in 2021. She is the second Chinese American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly after Theresa Mah.[3]

Illinois House of Representatives

Committees

Gong-Gershowitz currently serves on four committees: the Immigration & Human Rights committee; the Energy & Environment committee; the Judiciary - Civil committee; and the Mental Health & Addiction committee. Additionally, she is the chairperson for both the Immigration & Human Rights committee and the Judiciary - Civil committee.

Legislation

Gong-Gershowitz has introduced several bills that have gone on to become law. This includes HB0376, which requires Illinois schools to create a unit of curriculum dedicated to studying Asian-American history,[4] as well as HB0709, which required the Illinois Department of Human Services "to conduct a public information campaign to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other noncitizens residing in Illinois of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois laws that apply regardless of immigration status."[5]

Personal life

Gong-Gershowitz resides in Glenview with her husband and three sons. She is a human rights attorney by trade.

Electoral history

Illinois 17th Representative Democratic Primary, 2018[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 7,800 36.61
Democratic Candance Chow 7,165 33.63
Democratic Mary Rita Luecke 3,526 16.55
Democratic Alexandra Eidenberg 1,812 8.51
Democratic Pete Dagher 1,002 4.70
Total votes 21,305 100.0
Illinois 17th Representative District General Election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 34,328 69.20
Republican Peter Lee 15,281 30.80
Total votes 49,609 100.0
Illinois 17th Representative District General Election, 2020[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (incumbent) 42,471 67.62 -1.58%
Republican Yesoe Yoon 18728 29.82 -0.98%
Green Christopher Kruger 1606 2.56 N/A
Total votes 62,805 100.0
Illinois 17th Representative District General Election, 2022[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (incumbent) 29,057 71.38 +3.76%
Republican Bradley Martin 11648 28.62 -1.20%
Total votes 40,705 100.0

References

  1. ^ "Biography". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. ^ "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 9" (PDF). May 18, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. ^ Gong-Gershowitz, Jennifer (March 5, 2018). "Democratic candidate for Illinois House, 17th District: Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz" (Interview). Interviewed by Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 11, 2018. My name is Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz. I'm the granddaughter of Chinese immigrants whose legacy inspired me to do human rights and social justice work.
  4. ^ "Bill Status of HB0376". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Bill Status of HB0709". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  8. ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Election Results 2022 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2023-12-04.

External links

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103rd General Assembly (2023–2025)
Speaker of the House
Emanuel Chris Welch (D)
Majority Leader
Robyn Gabel (D)
Minority Leader
Tony McCombie (R)
  1. ▌Aaron Ortiz (D)
  2. ▌Elizabeth Hernandez (D)
  3. ▌Eva-Dina Delgado (D)
  4. ▌Lilian Jiménez (D)
  5. ▌Kimberly du Buclet (D)
  6. ▌Sonya Harper (D)
  7. ▌Emanuel Chris Welch (D)
  8. ▌La Shawn Ford (D)
  9. ▌Yolonda Morris (D)
  10. ▌Jawaharial Williams (D)
  11. ▌Ann Williams (D)
  12. ▌Margaret Croke (D)
  13. ▌Hoan Huynh (D)
  14. ▌Kelly Cassidy (D)
  15. ▌Michael Kelly (D)
  16. ▌Kevin Olickal (D)
  17. ▌Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D)
  18. ▌Robyn Gabel (D)
  19. ▌Lindsey LaPointe (D)
  20. ▌Bradley Stephens (R)
  21. ▌Abdelnasser Rashid (D)
  22. ▌Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D)
  23. ▌Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D)
  24. ▌Theresa Mah (D)
  25. ▌Curtis Tarver (D)
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  28. ▌Robert Rita (D)
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