Keenan-Devlin in race to succeed Hamos

Patrick Keenan-Devlin has announced he's running for the state house seat now held by Julie Hamos.

Keenan-Devlin with supporters at Ryan Field after Saturday's parade.

More than 60 volunteers sang, chanted, and marched through the rain in Saturday's Fourth of July parade in Evanston with Devlin. Hamos has indicated she will vacate her seat to run for statewide office.

“I am committed to charting a different course for Illinois, a new way that is effective, ethical, and equitable for the 18th District and all our citizens,” Keenan-Devlin told supporters.

Keenan-Devlin, who graduated from Northwestern University in 2006 after serving as student body president, has worked as a health policy advocate at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago and now is legislative director at Citizen Action/Illinois, which describes itself as the state’s largest public interest organization.

Citizen Action has lobbied for improved access to health care, campaign finance reform, and financial industry regulation.

Keenan-Devlin, of 711 Washington St., serves on the board of the United Way of Evanston, the board of advisors to the Sheil Catholic Center and the board of the Democratic Party of Evanston.

He’s also worked as a volunteer for several local Democratic candidates.

More information is available on his campaign website.

At least one other Evanston resident, Jeff Smith, has also announced plans to run for Hamos' legislative seat.