She Runs Illinois 2024! — Kristen Chiaro, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 95
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Kristen Chiaro, running for IL House of Representatives, District 95. 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 community servant proud to raise my family in the 95th House District and am a proven leader committed to protecting the overall quality of life of working families.
In my 5th year as Village of Chatham Trustee, I have worked tirelessly to secure funding for major infrastructure projects, enhance workforce development, and promote economic growth.
I will bring that knowledge to the State House and guide us into a better and brighter future by representing the needs of the 95th District at the State Capitol.
What are your top three legislative priorities you intend to focus on in office?
- Support access to affordable healthcare and prescription drugs
- Ensure proper funding for public education
- Defend access to reproductive healthcare
What motivated you to run for office?
My primary motivation for running was to secure public trust and faith in Democracy at a time when voters are disenfranchised and exhausted by a system that seems broken. I remember when people on both sides of the aisle worked together, and I want to be a part of restoring common decency. I have proven that I can work with others for the betterment of the community and look forward to working in the same fashion on tough issues.
How do you propose Illinois can enhance access to affordable childcare and support services for working mothers, and what legislative measures will you champion to advance this goal?
I’d like to focus on:
- Supporting a living wage for childcare workers
- Offering increased training for early childhood workers
- Supporting early learning programs that ensure working families have access to high-quality, affordable childcare
- Expanding access to high-quality preschool programs
- Expanding childcare options for children who need care during non-traditional hours
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?
Require research and high-quality data to better understand the problem of pain, develop treatment plans, and improve overall care.
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?
- Safeguard access to reproductive services
- Protect Access to Medication Abortion
- Ensure all patients, including pregnant women and those experiencing pregnancy loss, have full access to emergency medical care
- Protect Access to Contraception
- Increase outreach and public education efforts regarding reproductive health care services
- Protect patient privacy and promote safety and security
Closing comments
The 95th House District has traditionally been Republican held by leaders with ultra-conservative views in conflict with the needs of the District. Voters deserve a Representative who is in tune with a growing and diverse population who lives in this century and is opposed to going backwards. I am an optimist and a realist. I believe that we can improve by working together towards the greater good, embracing diversity, and creating meaningful and compassionate policies.
If you would like to learn more about Diane Kristen Chiaro and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at kristenchiaroforstaterep.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook and Instagram. 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.)
