She Runs Illinois 2024! — Jackie Williamson, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 47
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Jackie Williamson, running for IL House of Representatives, District 47. Follow our series, She Runs Illinois 2024!, leading up to election day as we showcase and uplift the voices of Illinois women running for public office in the upcoming election, November 5, 2024.
Tell us about yourself
I am a lifelong resident of Illinois. I grew up in the northwest suburbs and have lived in Wheaton with my husband and miniature Dachshund since 2018. I graduated from Butler University and went back to school during the pandemic. I graduated from the College of DuPage with a certificate in Human Resources Management.
I work in Human Resources and have experience managing large budgets, helping companies recruit and retain workers, and advocating for employees’ healthcare benefits. My experience in this industry taught me the importance of consistency and fairness, strong ethics, and the value of working with all stakeholders to achieve success. I also believe in the power of active listening and practicing empathy to get to the heart of any challenge and identify effective solutions.
What are your top three legislative priorities you intend to focus on in office?
I specialize in Leave of Absence administration at work, helping employees understand and navigate the complicated process of filing for FMLA and benefits. I have helped the company implement and integrate five different states’ Paid Family/Medical Leave programs. When I am elected, I will work to finalize the details of the Paid Family and Medical Leave bill that has been in the General Assembly for years.
I will also work to further the efforts in the General Assembly to improve access to affordable healthcare and prescriptions. I will support efforts to keep insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies from artificially inflating prices.
The work we do in Springfield must always be done with sensitivity to the financial health of the state and its residents. I will make sure that we continue to improve the state’s fiscal outlook and reduce the tax burden on the people in Illinois so that families can thrive.
What motivated you to run for office?
I decided to run for State Representative after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, undoing decades of precedent on access to abortion. While Illinois has passed life-saving protections, the incumbent 47th District State Representative has voted against these protections and has introduced legislation that would remove the requirement for insurance to cover emergency contraceptives. As someone who helps employees navigate their health insurance benefits, I directly understand the negative impacts of restricting healthcare access, especially to women.
What policies will you advocate for to better support women, including those with disabilities and chronic pain, who often face medical gaslighting and barriers in accessing necessary healthcare?
One of the ways in which we can improve access to healthcare is to reduce the influence insurance companies have in approving care prescribed by healthcare professionals.
We need a diverse healthcare workforce who can better identify with patients who have different cultural backgrounds or come from historically underserved communities. If we can provide more opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to take the first step of getting into a good college by investing in state colleges and universities and increasing access to grants and scholarships, it will help them start on that path.
How will you ensure that Illinois continues to lead in promoting women’s health and reproductive rights, especially in the face of potentially restrictive federal policies on abortion and birth control?
I decided to run for State Representative in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Protecting access to reproductive healthcare will always be a top priority for me. We will always protect patients and doctors from Illinois and anyone who comes from out of state to access care.
What steps will you take to enhance civic engagement and ensure that the voices of all constituents, including marginalized communities, are heard and represented in the legislative process in Illinois?
I will hold regular town halls so that constituents have direct engagement with me and an opportunity to hear about what is happening in Springfield and around the district. As someone who has to explain the complex world of insurance to employees, I recognize the need to have high-quality constituent services so that residents of the district have a resource for information and can access State benefits.
Closing comments
I am running for State Representative to be a full-time legislator who will deliver results, not talking points. I will guarantee that Illinois’ fiscal future is sound, that families are not unduly burdened by taxes, and that all residents live in safe, healthy communities. I believe we need to maintain and improve the rights and freedoms we are losing at the federal level: the freedom to access lifesaving healthcare, the right to be safe from gun violence in our communities and schools, and the right to an environment free of pollution.
If you would like to learn more about Jackie Williamson and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at jackieforil47.com. Don’t forget to follow her on social media at @jackieforil47. Reach out today and help make a difference in the upcoming 2024 election.
(The information contained in this post is provided only as general information and does not imply an endorsement by She Votes Illinois.)
