She Runs Illinois 2022! — LaToya Greenwood, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 114
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature LaToya Greenwood, incumbent, running for IL House of Representatives, District 114. 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
As an education administrator and public servant, I understand the challenges faced by parents, students, teachers, and taxpayers. Born and raised in East St. Louis, I am an advocate in the state Capitol for the many issues faced by residents of the metro east area.
Prior to my election as state representative, I served on the East St. Louis City Council where I prioritized economic development, public safety, and providing residents with good, honest, government.
I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation focused on creating access, equity, and opportunity, specifically centered around job creation, environmental justice, education funding, reproductive health, and maternal and infant mortality.
My mission as a state legislator is to lift up the 114th District by improving economic development, providing quality education, and ensuring public safety for residents. I have been a voice for the most vulnerable and will continue to fight to keep social services and necessary resources that are critical to their livelihood.
I am a Lifetime member of the NAACP- East St. Louis Branch, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. — Delta Delta Omega Chapter, and a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction — East St. Louis Chapter.
I serve as the Majority Conference Chairperson and the Chair of the Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee.
I reside in East St. Louis, and I am the proud mother of one son, Nicolas, who attends Loyola University.
What are the priorities that you intend to focus on in office?
I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation focused on creating access, equity, and opportunity, specifically centered around job creation, environmental justice, education funding, reproductive health, and maternal and infant mortality.
How have you involved residents in your decision-making process? How do you plan to involve more people in the future?
I host Coffee & Conversations when I am not in session. I meet with groups and organizations to discuss any issues that may have and work together on how to address those issues. Also, I have hosted many webinars connecting constituents with the information and resources that they need. I have hosted Senior Fairs, Job Fairs, Education Informational meetings, etc., I believe that a huge part of being a state representative involves the sharing of important information that will assist those who need it the most.
How can the ILGA help protect Black trans women from the hate that puts their safety at risk?
I will work with my colleagues to continue to work to provide any policy or legislative initiatives that are necessary to protect not just Black trans women, but all women in our state.
In a post-Roe world, what can be done to stop the harmful practices of crisis pregnancy centers (AKA “pregnancy resource centers”) in Illinois so that their tactics are not able to result in forced births for those seeking an abortion?
As a member of the Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group, which was created by Speaker Welch to collaborate with stakeholders and community advocates to address these harmful practices, we are discussing initiatives that will take a balanced and research-driven approach to meaningfully address this issue.
Illinois has done important work to ensure that we remain an outlier in the Midwest in protecting reproductive health. look forward to continuing to advocate for a woman’s right to choose and be a supporter of women’s reproductive rights.
The crisis of domestic violence is closely linked to the widespread and growing use of guns by abusers. What solutions do you advocate to reduce gender-based gun violence in Illinois?
This is another area that is affecting citizens statewide. Under the leadership of Speaker Welch, the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group was formed to address this issue, along with many others related to gun violence.
I will advocate for the recommended legislation that the working group will produce after speaking with gun violence experts and stakeholders to ensure that it will address this issue.
Closing comments
I am honored to serve as state representative of the 114th District. This opportunity has afforded me to learn more about not only the 114th District, but our great state. Our state is full of opportunities, and I want to continue to expose all of our residents to what is available to them. I want to continue to fight for equitable healthcare, fight for access to higher education, fight for environmental justice in underserved communities, and fight for the communities I represent. I have sponsored legislation that has made a difference across our state, and I have more work to do!
If you would like to learn more about LaToya Greenwood and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at latoyagreenwood.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook. 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.)
