I am a hospice chaplain, an elected village trustee in Arlington Heights, a lifetime advocate for others, community builder, collaborator, and justice worker. I grew up in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and I am the oldest of four children, daughter of small business owners, and grandchild of proud union workers, business owners and community volunteers. The Northwoods was a great place to grow up amid the beauty of the outdoors and where it felt like everyone knew each other.

I had a traditional childhood; it felt like the whole world was available to me. And then I realized my world was not available to everyone. I was in third grade when I first witnessed deep poverty, violence, and prejudice for those who were different. I still remember the life stories of some classmates that forever changed how I understood my place in the world. These early experiences are what led me to a life of public service.

Since grade school, I’ve wanted to help make the world a better place for all of us. As an ordained minister and hospice chaplain for over 30 years, I have devoted myself to supporting people from all walks of life in finding solutions to what matters most to them.

That commitment has taken me from the bedside to the village board to Springfield. I started hospice work during the AIDS crisis and I was a front-line healthcare worker during the COVID-19 pandemic. In my 34 years with VITAS Healthcare, I have served as a member and co-chair of the Hospice Ethics Committee and as a core member of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee. I am a former member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Illinois Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, a former legislative volunteer with the Hospice Action Network in Washington, D.C., and a former facilitator and co-leader of a national COVID-19 grief support group. I served as Arlington Heights Village Trustee from 2021 to 2025, and I was appointed State Representative for the 53rd District on June 5, 2024, and elected to my first full term in November 2024. During my time in the Illinois House, I serve on the Public Health, Veterans, State Government and Administration, and Financial Institutions and Licensing Committees. I am also a former election judge and deputy registrar, a former volunteer with Marriage Equality Illinois, and a Girl Scout leader. My community involvement includes the Wheeling Township 708 Mental Health Board, the League of Women Voters of Arlington Heights, Mt. Prospect, and Buffalo Grove, Moms Demand Action, and Planned Parenthood.

For 36 years I have lived in the Northwest suburbs, 25 of them in Arlington Heights, and in many parts of the 53rd District boundaries. My husband Michael was a math and physics teacher in High School District 214 his entire career. Although now retired, he continues his work and involvement in public education. Our daughter Claire attended public schools in Arlington Heights and graduated from Rolling Meadows High School. She currently attends Michigan State University where she’s studying to be a teacher and has worked with the Arlington Heights Park District.

In my public service roles in hospice, local government, and the Illinois House, I support people from all life experiences, cultures, religions, and economic levels. I listen and involve them in creating solutions to problems that matter most. I love people, I love community building, I love collaborating, and working together to make our world a better place for everyone. I bring a human service skill set of hard work, commitment, and integrity to be a strong voice for the needs and concerns of all in the district. I bring a wealth of skills and experience responding to human needs and finding solutions together to best support us now and for our future.

I am ready and excited to continue serving the 53rd District, building on a lifetime foundation of public service that has taught me to be an advocate and voice for people, businesses, institutions, and agencies.