Dagmara Avelar
Dagmara "Dee" Avelar | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 85th district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | John Connor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Bolingbrook, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois (MUP) Northeastern Illinois University (BA) |
| Occupation | Illinois State Representative |
| Website | https://ilga.gov/House/Members/Details/3391 |
Dagmara "Dee" Avelar is the Illinois State Representative for the 85th district and is an Assistant Majority Leader.[1] She has held the position since January 13, 2021. The 85th district, located in the Chicago area, covers all or parts of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Fairmont, Lemont, Lockport, Naperville, Romeoville, and Woodridge.[2]
Avelar was elected to succeed outgoing State Representative John Connor, who had been elected to the Illinois Senate.
Early life, education, and career
Avelar was born in Quito, Ecuador and moved to Bolingbrook, Illinois with her parents when she was 12.[3][4] She graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2005.[4] She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies with a minor in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University in 2010 and earned her Master's Degree in Urban Planning and Policy Candidate at the University of Illinois at Chicago.[3][5] She has been an active community organizer since 2008. She previously worked at Instituto Del Progreso Latino "as an accredited representative with a focus on citizenship and DACA."[3] As of 2020, she works at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights as Director of Programs.[5]
Illinois House of Representatives
Committees
Avelar currently serves on eight House committees and four House subcommittees: the Appropriations-Pensions & Personnel committee; the Economic Opportunity & Equity committee; the Health Care Availability & Access committee; the Labor & Commerce committee; the Personnel & Pensions committee; the Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility committee; the Revenue & Finance Committee; Transportation: Regulation, Roads, & Bridges committee; as well as the Job & Workforce Development subcommittee; the Pharmacy Benefit Manager subcommittee; Sales Tax subcommittee; and the Tax Policy: Finance subcommittee.[6]
Legislation
Several bills filed by Rep. Avelar have gone on to become law. These include an amendment to the Environmental Protection Act that requires groundwater monitoring at some construction sites,[7] legislation that requires hospitals to proactively offer charity care options to uninsured patients,[8] and a statute that requires insurance companies that issue group accident and health policies to offer these policies to local chambers of commerce.[9]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dagmara "Dee" Avelar | 10,658 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 10,658 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dagmara "Dee" Avelar | 26,560 | 59.00 | |
| Republican | Ron Doweidt | 16,129 | 35.83 | |
| Green | Anna Schiefelbein | 2,326 | 5.17 | |
| Total votes | 45,015 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dagmara "Dee" Avelar | 17,644 | 57.62 | |
| Republican | Chris Metcalfe | 12,975 | 42.38 | |
| Total votes | 30,619 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Dagmara "Dee" Avelar | 25,360 | 58.30 | |
| Republican | Chris Metcalfe | 18,142 | 41.70 | |
| Total votes | 43,502 | 100.0 | ||
Personal life
Avelar resides in Bolingbrook, Illinois.[4] She became a naturalized US citizen in April 2016.[3]
References
- ^ "Member Details". ILGA.GOV. 2025 ILGA.gov. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ^ "STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: State House District 85 (Illinois)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b c d "About". Dagmara "Dee" Avelar for State Representative. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ a b c Ward, Joe (October 31, 2019). "Bolingbrook Woman To Run For State Representative". Patch.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Dagmara 'Dee' Avelar, Illinois House 85th District Democratic nominee profile". Chicago Sun-Times. September 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ "Bills and Committees". Illinois General Assembly. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ^ "Bill Status of HB0653". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Bill Status of HB3803". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Bill Status of HB3598". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Election Results 2022 GENERAL ELECTION".
- ^ "Election Results 2024 GENERAL ELECTION".