She Runs IL 2024! — Martha “Marti” Deuter, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 45
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Martha “Marti” Deuter, running for IL House of Representatives, District 45. 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 policymaker with extensive local government experience and a passion for public service. I was elected to the Elmhurst City Council in 2013 and have been in a council leadership position since 2015. In addition, I’ve done research and policy work in university, nonprofit, and municipal settings on issues that include economic development, affordable housing, and community reinvestment. I currently work for Bridge Communities, a nonprofit based in Glen Ellyn that provides housing and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness. I have a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Ohio University.
What are your top three legislative priorities you intend to focus on in office?
My top three priorities are:
Expanding Economic Opportunities — I will advocate for new, strategic investments in our public schools, technical training, and resilient infrastructure and transportation.
Protecting Fundamental Rights — I believe individuals should have the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions. I will support legislation that safeguards the inherent rights of individuals, preserves our democracy, and protects voting rights for all residents of Illinois.
Gun Violence Prevention — I am committed to supporting common-sense, evidence-based firearm legislation that will tighten loopholes and reduce gun violence in our communities.
What motivated you to run for office?
My first experience in government was working for the City of Chicago, and I saw firsthand the extraordinary power of government to strengthen communities and support families. The potential of government is realized when hard-working leaders run for office and put the public interest ahead of their own.
How do you plan to integrate gender equity considerations into Illinois’ transportation infrastructure planning and development to ensure that women have equitable access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options?
Transit makes it possible to stabilize and sustain a household by providing access to school, job interviews, medical appointments, and other services. As transit leaders and the state legislature plan for the future of public transportation in the Chicago region, equitable access to high-quality, affordable transportation for all transit users, including women, is critical. In the meantime, I support the continuation of RTA’s initiative that provides transit passes to survivors of gender-based violence through a network of service providers.
How do you plan to ensure that Illinois continues to lead in promoting policies that support women’s health and reproductive rights, particularly given national legislative trends?
I believe in a person’s right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care, contraception, and maternity care. I will always support the right to choose and will work to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including continued public support of Planned Parenthood and similar organizations that make these services available to all.
What measures can Illinois implement to better protect women from intimate partner violence, considering high-profile cases involving the abuse and stalking of Black women like the attack on pregnant Laterria Smith and murder of her son, Jayden Perkins, by her ex-partner; and Dominique Ward’s struggles with her ex-partner’s cyberstalking?
One way to better protect women is to enforce and expand the use of Firearm Restraining Orders. These “red flag laws” are civil orders that allow for temporary removal of firearms and ammunition when an individual is deemed a potential danger to themselves or others. Firearm restraining orders have been shown to be effective in reducing gun-related violence and gun deaths. Illinois was at the forefront of enacting FRO legislation; however, significant education and training are still needed so that Illinoisans have knowledge of the law, when and how to file an FRO, and how it can be effective in helping a family member in crisis.
Closing comments
A decade of service on the Elmhurst City Council has taught me the significance of engaging with constituents, thoroughly investigating the issues, fostering consensus, and creating effective solutions that help communities thrive. As state representative, I will advocate for the values and interests that reflect the residents of the district while working towards a bright and resilient future for Illinois.
If you would like to learn more about Marti Deuter and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at martiforil45.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.)
