Bolingbrook Woman To Run For State Representative

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A Bolingbrook resident will run for the Illinois House of Representatives seat whose occupant is seeking a different elected public office. Dagmara Avelar announced this week that she will seek election to the 85th District seat as a Democrat.

Avelar has lived in Bolingbrook since she was 12, having graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2005. She then graduated from Northeastern Illinois University and is a currently studying for a master's degree in urban planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago, according to her campaign.

In her free time, Avelar said she has spent 12 years of her life to "promoting civic engagement of new Americans in the southwest suburbs." She would continue to do so in office, she said.

“Bolingbrook and this district embraced me and my family when I first moved here at the age of 12," Avelar said in a statement. " I want to continue and strengthen that legacy for the next generation.”

Avelar is seeking the State Representative seat currently held by Rep. John Connor, the Lockport Democrat who will run for the Illinois Senate. Connor is running for the senate seat held by retiring Sen. Pat McGuire.

Avelar said she decided to run for the 85th District seat after Connor announced his candidacy for the senate. She said her focus will be on education, jobs and empowering the voices of youth and families in the district.

The IL 85th Legislative District stretches from the Fairmont area, to Lockport, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, and into parts of Woodridge.