Dagmara Avelar

Dagmara Avelar was born in Quito, Ecuador, and lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in justice studies from Northeastern Illinois University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Avelar's career experience includes working as the director of programs at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.[1][2]

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Candidate Conversations

Moderated by journalist and political commentator Greta Van Susteren, Candidate Conversations is a virtual debate format that allows voters to easily get to know their candidates through a short video Q&A.

Click below to watch the conversation for this race.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Dagmara "Dee" Avelar, and I decided to run for office because I was inspired by the number of first time candidates, particularly women of color, who ran in 2018.

Will County has been my home, primarily the Bolingbrook and Romeoville areas, since 2001. This is the district that welcomed me with open arms when my family decided to immigrate from Ecuador to the United States. As a proud product of our public school system, I know first-hand the pivotal role that educators play in the development of healthy children and communities. I want to be able to be a legislator that champions education and continues to fight for the community that has invested in me.

For over a decade, I have dedicated my life to advocating for working families particularly focusing on projects addressing the barriers of low-income, limited English proficient Illinois residents. A community organizer at heart, I have been involved in civic engagement efforts to get out the vote of low-propensity voters in the southwest suburbs since I was in college. I have also advocated in efforts to increase the minimum wage and have been a fierce fighter in Springfield during the fight for a fair budget that puts working families first.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Will fight to make healthcare more affordable Advocate to prepare the next generation for the Jobs of TomorrowOur campaign is rooted in economic, social and racial justice.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about healthcare access, education and uplifting working families.

Healthcare Access - Healthcare is a human right and a matter of life or death for many. We cannot live in a society where families are going bankrupt or have to choose between basic needs or paying their healthcare bills. My own family has gone through those hardships and I am committed to being a strong advocate for affordable healthcare. My commitment to our communities includes assuring that our families have access to quality medical care, affordable medication and the continuing fight for reproductive rights.

Investment in education - A key priority in our district is education. Investments in education means that our state continues to make concerted efforts in supporting our public school system, community colleges, universities, vocational and trade schools. Demand for skilled workers in Illinois is strong yet the number of people who have completed vocational or trade school training has decreased. This is a significant issue as a diverse workforce will make our state stronger.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My life has been surrounded by great, inspiring, kick butt women. My mother instilled in me resiliency and empathy. She was my age when she decided to immigrate to the United States, I have been thinking about that alot. I have been reflecting on how her journey has directly impacted our entire family. Anytime I felt afraid, she was there to look me in the eye and say "Do not falter hija, you are capable of doing anything you work hard for".

My sister and I have taken that to heart, which leads me to my other mentor. My sister is my backbone, my journey is her journey and vice versa. Moving from Ecuador to the suburbs, presented challenges and we knew we had each other to rely on. I have learned from her the meaning of standing up for what you believe in.

She is a close adviser in my campaign along with my campaign manager, Eli. Eli is another one of my role models. A fierce, thoughtful DACAmented woman who leads by her social justice values. Our campaign is a grassroots campaign and as such we are relying on our community to inform our platform with a social justice centered lens. I would be disingenuous for me to say that this campaign has been easy. One of our main obstacles, as I am sure it has been for many, has been campaigning during a pandemic. A key takeaway that we have been reflecting on is that the pandemic has highlighted our chronic problems with income inequality and healthcare access. I have a responsibility to make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure that working families do not continue to bear the brunt of it .

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Yes, Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Over the last decade, I have been involved in political advocacy, community organizing and human services management. I love going into work everyday, and fighting for people. It is with that same passion that I envision going to Springfield and being a champion for families. As a proud product of our public school system, I know first-hand the pivotal role that educators play in the development of healthy children and communities. I want to be able to be a legislator that champions education and continues to fight for the community that has invested in me.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The main responsibility of an elected official is to truly reflect the values of their district and stand up for what it right.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was at a local bakery in Bolingbrook when I was in high school. I remember being excited about it because I was finally going to be able to buy concert tickets.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that having a wide range of people with experience in multiple sectors is beneficial to all. While having experience in government and politics may be helpful, what is more important in my opinion, is the ability to be able to listen to the needs and concerns of community members who live in the district and turn that into good policy making solutions.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Our budget. Fixing our state's budget problems require long term solutions. We need to work on pension reform legislation, taxing of high-end services as well as closing corporate loopholes. What we cannot afford to do is have our much needed human services and education budgets bear the brunt of spending cuts as they are essential. Also, Income inequality has continued to grow and we can no longer continue to have our working and middle class families carry the burden of our current tax system.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Voters should pick who represents them, rather than politicians picking their voters. Districts should be drawn in a way that promotes equal representation. It is imperative that transparency and an equity centered approach is used in the process. If elected, I would work hard to collaborate with my colleagues in both chambers as well as the Black, Latino, and Asian caucuses to try to unite all of us around a principle that representation matters and that redistricting should benefit everyone equitably.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would be interested in being part of the following committees: Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, Appropriations-Public Safety Committee, Economic Opportunity & Equity Committee, Energy & Environment Committee and Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges Committee

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

As a first time candidate and a potential first time legislator I am interested in primarily beign able to serve the people of the 85th district well, before considering joining the leadership.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

As a first time candidate and a potential first time legislator I am interested in primarily being able to serve the people of the 85th district well, before considering running for any other political office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, while canvassing one of the areas in the district a small business owner and I were able to have a candid and honest conversation about income inequality and the lack of economic development in this specific area. He told me his concerns and as I listened I got goosebumps when he said that we need more people who have worked with the community to be running for office. He also mentioned that the best thing that can be done to improve the community would be to get people the opportunity to be able to thrive in good paying jobs that allows for them to take care of their families.