She Runs Illinois 2022! — Eva-Dina Delgado, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 3
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Eva-Dina Delgado, incumbent, running for IL House of Representatives, District 3. Follow our series, She Runs Illinois 2022!, leading up to election day as we showcase and uplift the voices of Illinois women running for public office in the upcoming election, November 8, 2022.
Tell us about yourself
I have served the 3rd district as its state representative for nearly three years, primarily through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the kind of community service I have been driven to do my whole life.
I have lived on the Northwest side of the city of Chicago for over 20 years. I came to Chicago as a young person to attend DePaul College of Law after earning my Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College. I worked hard to become a leader in my field. My career spans more than 20 years in public and private sector leadership. For more than a decade, I worked for the city of Chicago and the Chicago Transit Authority, serving as the first female Director of Government and Community Relations. I worked closely with many communities and advocated for their needs locally and in Springfield. This led to my experience passing legislation, including legislation to limit property tax increases and create protections against home foreclosures. I spent time in the private sector, working my way up to chief of staff for the president of the company. In this time, I did a lot of volunteer work, which included Lawyers Lend-a-Hand to Youth (an organization that supports one-on-one mentorship for youth) and sitting on the Saint Anthony Hospital board, a safety net hospital that serves majority Latino and African American communities.
Both of my parents were teachers and they sacrificed so much to provide opportunities for me. And now, I want to be the type of role model to my daughter that my mother was to me. I know first-hand the issues that face working families in Illinois. As a woman of color, I have fought to be heard and will continue to advocate on behalf of our community.
What are the priorities that you intend to focus on in office?
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Economic Development
Transportation & Infrastructure
Energy & Environment
What piece of legislation have you worked on and really hoped would pass, but hasn’t?
Each session is a new chance to build on the successes of the past. The work of legislating never ends, because even when we pass something significant, like the Climate Equity Jobs Act, nothing is ever perfect. I look forward to pursuing issues in infrastructure and economic development in the upcoming legislative session when the voters of the 3rd District send me back to Springfield.
Reproductive justice is frequently labeled a “women’s issue”, however, that only imperfectly captures part of the story. How we can ensure that even those who cannot become pregnant are invested in the healthcare of those who can become pregnant?
I like to talk about reproductive rights in the context of families. All of us are family members and this issue affects anyone who has a family. Broadening support to include those who can’t become pregnant will push policymakers to ensure that hard-fought rights, like the right to an abortion, are always protected. It matters to anyone with a family that the people they love have the choice to become a parent or not, and that is how we need to talk about the issue of reproductive health care.
Anti-LGBTQ legislation has become an agenda in states across the nation. What policies do you think are necessary to help ensure individuals are able to live full, safe, and happy lives?
I am so proud to be in Illinois, because in the time that I have served in the legislature, we have worked to strengthen protections for all people in the state, including those that identify as LGTBQ. We must continue advocating for equality for marginalized and underrepresented groups.
Toxic masculinity, the cultural idea that manhood is defined by violence and aggression to maintain power or strength, combined with gun availability can result in gender-based gun violence and mass shootings. What can the ILGA do to address this deadly combination?
We start with common sense legislation that bans weapons of war from getting into the hands of civilians. I also support a “white flag law.” Under such a proposal, if a minor has an incident where they are a threat to themselves or others, the white flag provision would be triggered, preventing that minor from obtaining a Firearm Owner Identification Card (FOID) until they reach the age of 24.
Closing comments
Over the past two years, my work has resulted in major benefits for the neighborhoods I serve. But, while I’m very proud of those accomplishments, I know that there is much more to do. We must continue to protect the rights of everyone in this country and fight against extremism.
If you would like to learn more about Eva-Dina Delgado and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at delgadoforstaterep.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out today and help make a difference in the upcoming 2022 election.
(The information contained in this post is provided only as general information and does not imply an endorsement by She Votes Illinois.)
