As an advocate and policy advisor, Rachel led efforts to protect and expand access to quality health care, including for mental and behavioral health, in Illinois. With medical costs soaring and federal cuts looming, Rachel will continue to advocate for inclusive, equitable policies and resist efforts to restrict coverage.

Rachel has pushed successfully for state legislation aimed at lifting families out of poverty, including policies to expand the earned income tax credit, abolish predatory payday loans, fund children’s savings accounts, and promote guaranteed income programs. Rachel envisions an economy that works for all Illinoisans, where no resident needs to struggle to meet basic needs.

Rachel has experience developing research-based policy solutions to reform the property tax system. She has worked to protect people experiencing homelessness and expand access to affordable, permanent housing and supportive services in Illinois. Rachel believes that housing is a human right and that our communities can and should be more inclusive and affordable.

Rachel understands the intersections of systemic racism, poverty, and inequities. As Executive Director of the Family Defense Center, her team provided critical legal services to domestic violence survivors and other parents trying to keep their children and access safety and stability. She supported formerly incarcerated leaders in establishing the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, which advocates to remove barriers and create opportunities for people with records. Rachel will always fight to center directly impacted people and build sustainable, equitable solutions.

Rachel is a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention. She worked to relaunch Moms Demand Action Evanston and helped pass Evanston’s local safe storage ordinance. While at Heartland Alliance, she supported READI Chicago’s advocacy for investments in community violence intervention programs - efforts that included street outreach, behavioral health, and employment. Rachel will continue to champion evidence-based solutions to our country’s gun violence epidemic.

Rachel understands the critical need to address the disproportionate environmental impacts that low-income communities face.  At Cook County, Rachel supported the development of the first environmental justice policy. Rachel will work to ensure that every Illinoisan, regardless of zip code, has clean air and clean water - and that our communities are moving aggressively toward clean energy, climate resiliency, and environmental justice goals.

As Illinois grapples with how to respond to federal cuts and economic downturns, Rachel will work to consider our community’s budget priorities and protect our state’s financial health