Representatives from the League of Black Women and Equal-Vote Local are teaming up in advance of the March 20 primary election to ensure constituents have the knowledge they need to cast an informed ballot at the polls.
At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, candidates vying for a seat in Illinois’ fifth state house district will convene at Adler University, 17 N. Dearborn St., to field key questions from both moderators and audience members. The free candidates’ forum is open to the public, but pre-registration is required to reserve seating for the first 80 registrants.
District 5 of the Illinois House of Representatives spans 17 neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, running from north of the Goldcoast, south through Woodlawn, and beyond. Current 5th District State Rep. Juliana Stratton announced in August plans to serve as running mate to J.B. Pritzker in the 2018 gubernatorial election, opening the window for the district’s current four hopeful candidates:
- Felicia Bullock
- Kenneth Dunkin
- Lamont Robinson, Jr.
- Dilara Sayeed
Please take few minutes to get to know the candidates, and join us for the Illinois 5th District Representative Candidates Forum at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12.
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Felicia Bullock
Felicia Bullock is a lifelong Illinois and South Side Chicago resident who attended Chicago Public Schools for her elementary and high school education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northern Illinois University, where she was elected to serve two terms as senator of the student association.
In 2008, she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a community service organization through which she took advantage of abundant volunteer opportunities. Graduating college during the recession meant pursuing jobs that did not necessarily align with her ultimate goals in order to pay back student loans. Bullock initially accepted a position in purchasing for a trucking company. She thrived there and remained in the procurement field for the next seven years. She currently works as a senior buyer for the University of Chicago.
Although she has enjoyed working in the private sector, Bullock has always had a heart for politics. She longs to be a public servant in the future, which is why she is following her dreams to pursue the 5th District seat for Illinois State Representative.
Bullock has been married to her husband, Bart, whom she met in preschool, for two years. They are proud residents of the Bronzeville neighborhood, where they enjoy cooking and a good movie on their weekly date nights.
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Kenneth Dunkin
Succeeded by current representative Juliana Stratton, Kenneth Dunkin served constituents in the 5th District for 13 years — from 2003 through 2016 — as an Illinois General Assembly state representative.
He was raised in the Chicago Housing Authority’s Cabrini-Green development. He graduated from Lincoln Park High School and went on to earn an associate’s degree from Harold Washington College. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College, and a master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago. His professional experience includes working as a consultant for the Chicago Department of Public Health and Illinois Department on Aging. He also embraced the role of community advisor, liaison and director of the Robert Taylor Boys and Girls Club of Chicago.
If elected to the 5th District helm, once again, he plans to continue to prioritize well-paying jobs; infrastructure improvements, especially those for outdated schools, roads and parks; funding for critical education programs; support for senior citizen assistance; a tough stance on crime; a two-tiered pension program for new Illinois employees; and transparency with constituents.
“During these difficult economic times, everyone must share in the sacrifice, especially our government,” he said, according to his website, in regards to the state’s budget crisis. “I am working hard to get us back on track, but it’s a process that cannot be completed overnight. I have proven my willingness to cut the budget and lower the deficit. I will do this again during the upcoming session.”
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Lamont J. Robinson, Jr.
Lamont Robinson, Jr. grew up on the South Side of Chicago and currently lives and works in the 5th District. Being the son of public servants — a school teacher and city of Chicago building inspector — has fueled his passion to contribute to a greater good within his community.
“As your state representative, I will fight to make state government more responsive to your needs,” he said, on his website. “As a small business owner, I understand that entrepreneurship and economic development can change lives and create safer communities. As a teacher at Harold Washington College and director of a youth mentorship program, I understand the importance of funding a world class education and mentoring the next generation of leaders. I am the right choice for the challenges we are facing right now.”
Robinson received a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University, where he is president emeritus of the Young Entrepreneurs Club. He returned to Chicago to earn his master’s degree from National Lewis University and in 2007, opened a small insurance business for Bronzeville residents. He opened a second Humboldt Park office in 2017.
“I chose insurance, one of the few industries that focus on helping people in crisis,” he said, according to his campaign page. “ … Owning a small business on both the south and north (sides) has taught me to be responsive to people with very different backgrounds and needs. I also made the conscious choice to hire inexperienced staff members at $15 per hour because I believe that paying employees a living wage is the right thing to do.”
Robinson currently serves on the Board of Quad Communities Development Corporation, a 2003-formed organization aimed at improving the quality of life and economic strength of south lakefront communities including North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas and Grand Boulevard. The group works to drive economic development; foster neighborhood and school improvements, support likeminded organizations, attract and retain business and improve public safety. He also sits on boards for the Urban League Metro and Trinity United Church of Christ Credit Union. He was appointed by U.S. Congressman Danny Davis to a task force that combats mortgage fraud and predatory lending in disadvantaged communities; and by then-4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle to the Hyde Park Special Service Area Commission.
“I am a son, a brother, a mentor, an educator, an entrepreneur, and an adviser to many,” he said. “I am prepared and excited to serve the residents of the 5th district as your next state representative.”
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Dilara Sayeed
Dilara Sayeed’s very first memories are of playing double-dutch on the playground, and her graduation from the Head Start preschool program for low-income children in Chicago. She is a product of Chicago Public Schools and a Catholic high school. She credits those experiences for fueling her ambition to push for equity, high quality, and accountability for all residents – especially those in vulnerable and developing communities.
Sayeed has been an educator and community leader for more than 20 years. She is a former teacher and education policy expert who uses her real-world experience to help people of all backgrounds succeed. When teaching eighth-grade students, Sayeed focused on race and pluralism issues in the U.S. During her career, she has worked with the Children’s Defense Fund to disrupt cradle-to-prison pipelines; facilitated inclusion and equity programs; and supported school districts to increase parent and community engagement.
Most recently, Sayeed executed a strategy to ensure that the best educators are poised to enter schools in need across Illinois while serving as chief education officer for the Golden Apple Foundation. She also founded vPeer, an online virtual mentoring platform that focuses on accessible and effective professional mentoring for all; especially women, professionals-of-color, and those from low-income communities.
She holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a doctorate from Harvard University. She currently teaches school leadership at Northwestern and is a Fulbright Specialist in education. She has been awarded accolades for her work and her leadership in the areas of community service, education, and advocacy. Sayeed lives in Chicago’s South Loop with her husband. Together, they have raised three children who are now young adults.
Sayeed is now striving to take her public service to the next level as candidate for the 5th District, where she vows to protect residents’ justice, equality, and pluralism. Her strategic and operational experience will be valuable to the state.
The post Illinois’ 5th District State Reps: Meet the Candidates, Attend Free Feb. 12 Forum appeared first on The Socially Responsible Practitioner.