Lakesia Collins

Lakesia Collins is an American union organizer and politician serving as a Democratic member-elect of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 9th district.[1] The 9th district includes parts of the Near West Side, the Near North Side and North Lawndale in Chicago.[2] Collins won the Democratic primary election for the seat and ran unopposed in the general election in 2020.[1][3][4][5] She serves as the Treasurer for the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.[6]

Lakesia Collins
Member-elect of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 9th district
Assuming office
January 13, 2021 (2021-January-13)
SucceedingArt Turner
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
OccupationUnion Organizer

Early life and career

Collins attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois and received her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate from the Samland Institute in Chicago.[7] She worked as a nurse in nursing homes, and later became an organizer in her union, SEIU Healthcare Illinois.[1][7] During her tenure as a union organizer, she advocated for legislation on nursing home reform, the proposed Illinois Fair Tax, and a higher minimum wage.[7]

In October 2019, she began her campaign for the Illinois House of Representatives' 9th district in the 2020 election.[8] Incumbent State Rep. Art Turner had decided not to run for re-election after holding the seat since 2011 (Turner's father, Arthur Turner, had previously held the seat for more than 30 years).[9] Collins faced six other candidates in the Democratic primary election, including Aaron Turner, brother of the incumbent representative.[1][10] She was supported by several labor unions including SEIU Healthcare Illinois and the Chicago Teachers Union and progressive organizations such as United Working Families, and received endorsements from the Chicago Sun-Times local elected officials such as Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Jeanette Taylor, and Brandon Johnson.[9][10][8] On March 17, 2020, she won the primary election with 45.9% of the vote.[11] She ran unopposed in the general election on November 3, 2020 and won.[11][5] When she takes office in January 2021, Collins will become the first woman to represent the 9th district.[1]

Personal life

Collins is a single mother of three children.[12]

Electoral history
Illinois House of Representatives 9th district, 2020 Democratic Primary[13][14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lakesia Collins 8,040 46.18
Democratic Aaron Turner 2,603 14.95
Democratic Trina Mangrum 1,850 10.63
Democratic Tyjuan "Ty" Cratic 1,557 8.94
Democratic Nicole L. 'Nikki' Harvey 1,494 8.58
Democratic Sandra Schneller 1,161 6.67
Democratic Maurice Edwards 704 4.04
Total votes 17,409 100.0

References
  1. Sabino, Pascal (2020-03-23). "Union Organizer Lakesia Collins Wins State Rep Race After Building Grassroots Support On The West Side". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  2. "2011 Adopted Maps: State Legislative Districts (Public Act 97-0006)". Illinois Redistricting. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
  3. "Illinois Election Results 2020". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. Bachtell, John (2020-03-20). "Marie Newman rides winds of change to victory in Illinois". People's World. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  5. Chicago Board of Elections. "General Election — November 3, 2020 — Summary Report - Unofficial Results" (PDF). Chicago Board of Elections. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  6. Kapos, Shia (2020-12-11). "BLACK CAUCUS' NEW LEADERSHIP — LaHOOD, BOST SPIN IN A TEXAS TORNADO — CALLING THE NATIONAL GUARD". POLITICO. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  7. CST Editorial Board (2020-01-22). "Meet Lakesia Collins, Illinois House 9th District Democratic primary candidate". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  8. Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "Friends of Lakesia". Illinois Sunshine. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  9. Munks, Jamie; Petrella, Dan (2020-03-09). "General Assembly departures make way for competitive primaries in Chicago, the suburbs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  10. CST Editorial Board (2020-02-24). "ENDORSEMENT: Lakesia Collins for Illinois House in 9th District Democratic Primary". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  11. "Lakesia Collins". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  12. "About Lakesia". Lakesia Collins for State Representative. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  13. "Election Results 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  14. "Election Results 2020 Primary - DEM - 3/17/2020". Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Retrieved 2020-03-23.


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