Meet Laura

While I have worn many hats in my life, being a mom to my twin boys is my greatest honor and joy. One of the biggest blessings and challenges of being a mom is answering my boys’ “whys” and “how comes.” When I find myself searching for answers to their questions, I am reminded of why I am running for State Representative. I want to show them that creating a stronger community starts with each and every one of us. As their mom, I want to give them the skills they need to advocate for change and empower them to create the change they want to see in their own communities. I will bring that same mindset to my role as State Representative, encouraging residents across the district and from all walks of life to become more engaged and involved in the decisions that shape the world around them.

I am an award-winning teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education and a Master of Arts in Bicultural Education. Although I am not currently in the classroom, I often still find myself wearing the hat of an educator. Whether it’s teaching citizenship classes at HACES, a nonprofit organization that offers resources and instructional support to people who have recently immigrated to the United States, or teaching membership classes at my church, I am passionate about teaching and learning with others. At my core, I am a lifelong learner. I firmly believe that true change comes from learning the root of our problems and making decisions that address root causes rather than offering band-aid solutions.

I grew up in a small town working in my family’s small business. I know first-hand what it means to work hard and to struggle to make ends meet. I remember hearing the worry in my parents’ voices during difficult times for their business and feeling worried myself as I overheard discussions about how they would make ends meet. When times got tough, every member of our family stepped up to ensure our business succeeded, and after a decade of hard work, our business began to thrive. As an adult, I left our family business to pursue a career in teaching, but when my twin boys were born, my life came full circle. I decided to stay home to raise them and began running our business. Growing up in a small, family-run business has shaped me into the person I am today. One with an enduring worth ethic and quick-witted problem solving abilities– characteristics that make me well-equipped to fight for our community in Springfield.

Throughout my entire life, I have been a community leader. Currently, I serve as Grayslake Village Trustee, but I have been passionate about community building for my entire adult life. As a resident assistant in college, I helped students grow and thrive in an unfamiliar and often intimidating environment. During my time as an educator, I took the initiative to mentor and support new teachers. As a board member at my church, I helped guide the direction of our church and uplift new members. When I learned that my boys’ new school lacked a strong, connected community of parents, I founded the school’s first 501(c)3 parent-teacher organization. Building community is incredibly important to me. I know that when we come together, we can achieve great things. I feel so lucky to call Grayslake home, and I look forward to the opportunity to build stronger communities throughout our district as your State Representative.