She Runs Illinois 2020! — Margaret Croke, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 12
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Margaret Croke, running for Illinois House of Representatives, District 12. Follow our series, She Runs Illinois 2020!, leading up to election day as we showcase and uplift the voices of Illinois women running for public office in the upcoming election.
Tell us about yourself
I am currently the deputy chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), where I work to improve the state’s economy and help administer COVID relief programs.
Prior to joining DCEO, I served on Governor JB Pritzker’s transition team and was the statewide Women’s Outreach Director for Pritzker’s gubernatorial campaign. I joined the campaign in June of 2017 and strategically networked with stakeholders, elected officials, community groups, and progressive organizations to promote JB’s candidacy. One of her greatest achievements during the campaign included organizing a 600-person Women for JB event with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Before JB’s campaign, I was Executive Assistant to the Director of Legislative Council and Government Affairs for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Office, Illinois Regional Field Director to the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, and Director of Scheduling & Advance for Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer.
When this seat opened up, I felt like my experiences working in government and building coalitions prepared me to be successful in this role and felt motivated to jump into the race.
I’m a lifelong resident of Illinois and reside in Old Town with my husband Patrick, my son PJ, my two dogs Winston and Charlie, and a rotating cohort of foster dogs through ALIVE Rescue.
Tell us about the women in your life
The most influential woman in my life has been my mother. Commissioner Gainer has been the most influential woman to me in politics. She’s someone that has demonstrated how women can lead, win, and support other women in the political arena.
The biggest challenge for me, as a young woman, is the assumption that I’m inexperienced. I get asked questions that no man seeking elected office would never get asked — like who will be taking care of my child when I’m in Springfield and how I plan on having a family if I am an elected official.
Much of my career has been focused on organizing around women’s issues. As Women’s Outreach Director during the Governor’s campaign, I worked with women’s organizations and organized around passing HB40 and the ERA. I previously was a member of Personal PAC’s Future Voice’s Council which brings together young women and men who are committed to protecting reproductive rights. In 2016, I hosted the first Young Feminist Conference, bringing together 200 young women from across the city to discuss issues important to women. While working for Commissioner Gainer, I ran Off the Sidelines Chicago (now known as Cause the Effect).
What led you into politics? Why are you running for THIS office?
This seat opened up when Sara Feigenholtz was appointed to the Senate. I was eight months pregnant at the time, which did not make for the ideal campaign conditions. But I also knew that this seat’s opening made for a once in a generation opportunity. With my experience building coalitions and working in city, county, and state government, I felt like I had unique experiences that would enable me to get things done for our community, and that motivated me to take on the challenge of running for this office.
How will you help ensure equitable access to healthcare for people in Black and Brown communities that are hardest hit by the coronavirus?
I think the best way we in Illinois can ensure equitable access to health care in Black and Brown communities is by implementing a public option where residents can buy into Medicaid. Ensuring universal access to health care is long overdue, and there is no doubt that Black and Brown communities are most hurt by our broken system, which has only been exacerbated by COVID.
Have you participated in any BLM protests? What influenced your decision?
I attended the Drag March for Change on June 14th, organized by drag leaders in the community calling for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless other Black and Brown individuals senselessly killed by police.
Civil unrest over the brutal and unjust killing of George Floyd have ignited a fight for racial equality and brought to light the pandemic of racism so many people of privilege have frankly ignored. I felt like it was important that I stand with those calling for change and resist the complacency that has prevented us from enacting real change for so long.
What is the most important policy you could implement that would help women in your district?
While it’s difficult to choose any one policy, I believe that paid family leave, repealing the Parental Notification Act, and removing the sales tax on diapers and baby formula can all have a massive impact on the lives of women in my district.
I also want to make sure that campaign contributions in Illinois can be used for childcare, which would enable more women to run for office. We need more women at the table making decisions and influencing legislation. Breaking down the barriers that prevent women from running for office is an important step in that direction.
What do you wish you had known before you decided to run for office?
Two things stick out.
First, that when you’re in a competitive race, there is little to no room for outside employment if you want to campaign effectively. Fortunately, a large share of the race coincided with my maternity leave which gave me some flexibility.
Second, the amount of money that we would need to raise. I ended up having to raise more than double my original goal.
Closing comments
When I first ran for this seat, I didn’t imagine that I’d be entering office amidst a global pandemic that has impacted so much of our lives. We have a lot of work ahead as we manage our way out of this pandemic and get our state back on track.
Still, I am hopeful. My colleagues and I will have the opportunity to seize this moment, instituting policy changes that will impact future generations. This has a special importance to me, as I want Illinois to be a place where my son is proud to grow up, where he can raise a family, and be a state that he loves as much as I do.
If you would like to learn more about Margaret Croke and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at crokeforillinois.com. Don’t forget to follow her on social media at @crokeforillinois. Reach out today and help make a difference in the upcoming 2020 election.
(The information contained in this post is provided only as general information and does not imply an endorsement by She Votes Illinois.)
