GLENVIEW, Ill. – Longtime Glenview resident and human rights attorney Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for state representative of the 17th District, which includes all or parts of Glenview, Northbrook, Evanston, Skokie and Wilmette.
“I am a mom, community leader and non-profit attorney who refuses to stand on the sidelines while extreme politicians in Springfield and D.C. threaten the future of the middle class,” said Gong-Gershowitz. “As the granddaughter of Chinese immigrants who defied the odds to build a better life in America, starting a business and raising a family, I have dedicated my life to serving others. I’m running for state representative to be a voice of reason and compassion.
As an attorney, Gong-Gershowitz partnered with the National Immigrant Justice Center to successfully represent victims of child trafficking and forced marriage. As a founding member
and co-chair of the Illinois Unaccompanied Children’s Task Force, she brought immigration advocates and law enforcement together to protect vulnerable children. She currently serves as an attorney at a community-based legal aid clinic devoted to assisting low-income residents in housing, immigration and domestic violence.
To date, Gong-Gershowitz has been endorsed by Lou Lang, state Representative and Niles Township Democratic Committeeman; Mike Kreloff, Northfield Township Democratic
Committeemen; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Josina Morita; state Rep. Theresa Mah and former State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg.
“Passion for core American values of fairness, equality and justice and the outcome of the 2016 election fast-tracked attorney Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz’s transition from full-time motherhood to immigration advocacy in order to be on the front lines defending America’s founding principles, and now she wants to take that fight further – to the state legislature as a state representative,” said Lang. “I enthusiastically endorse her candidacy. One more fighter is what we need in Springfield.”
Gong-Gershowitz and her husband, Michael, have three sons and live in Glenview. She is a former board member of the Glenview Education Foundation where she supported investments
in STEM projects to promote science and technology learning in District 34 public schools, is a member of the Social Justice Committee of Northfield’s Temple Jeremiah and an active
supporter of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.