A fourth Evanston resident says she’s entering the race to succeed Julie Hamos in the state house.
A fourth Evanston resident says she’s entering the race to succeed Julie Hamos in the state house.
Robyn Gabel says she’s establishing a campaign committee today and will formally kick-off her campaign around Labor Day.
Gabel, executive director of the Illinois Maternal & Child health Coalition, says she’s already circulating petitions to run for the 18th District seat.
Gabel, 56, has led the coalition since 1988 and says she’s combined work in the health field and politics for 25 years.
The group has led efforts to increase immunization rates for pre-school children, reduce the transmission of HIV from mothers to newborns, expand the number of school health centers, and enroll children in AllKids, the state’s child health insurance program.
She was born in Rogers Park and grew up in Skokie.
Already in the race are two attorneys, Jeff Smith, 52, and Eamon Kelly, 29, as well as Patrick Keenan-Devlin, 25, a legislative director at Citizen Action/Illinois.
Others reportedly considering making the race include Chicago 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, former Evanston 6th Ward Alderman Edmund Moran and two other attorneys, Larry Singer and Dean Maragos.