Maria Peterson

Maria Peterson was born in Oak Park, Illinois. She earned a high school diploma from Proviso West High School, a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Chicago in 1985, and a law degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1989. Peterson's career experience includes working as a community organizer, attorney, and small business owner. [1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Maria Peterson is a community leader, attorney, and first-generation Mexican American dedicated to advocating for working families across Illinois. Inspired by her immigrant parents’ work ethic and commitment to opportunity, Maria pursued degrees in Criminal Justice and Organizational Communications from Loyola University Chicago before beginning a legal career focused on protecting vulnerable communities. She later served as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, where she handled workplace safety cases, including matters involving serious injuries, workplace deaths, and benefits for coal miners suffering from Black Lung disease.

As a mother of three, Maria became a strong advocate for students and families, working within Chicago Public Schools to secure special education resources. She has remained deeply engaged in community service, including serving as State Elections Lead for Moms Demand Action and holding leadership and volunteer roles across civic and nonprofit organizations. Maria is known for her hands-on leadership, focus on lowering costs for families, strengthening public education, protecting workers, and ensuring government is responsive to the people it serves.

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?

I believe affordability is the defining challenge for working families across Illinois. After knocking on over 33,000 doors, I’ve heard the same concerns: rising grocery prices, skyrocketing housing costs, and healthcare expenses families simply can’t keep up with. Too many people are spending over 30% of their income on housing while worrying about medical bills or prescription costs.

I support fair tax policies that don’t overburden the middle class, expanding affordable housing so essential workers can live in our communities, and holding insurance and drug companies accountable. Families should never have to choose between groceries, healthcare, or keeping a roof over their heads.I believe environmental policy is health, economic, and future policy. I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of the Sierra Club because I’m committed to protecting our water, air, and communities across Illinois.

I will fight to protect the Fox River, modernize stormwater infrastructure to prevent costly flooding, and support smart floodplain planning. I support clean energy like solar, wind, and nuclear to lower emissions and stabilize utility costs. We should never have to choose between affordability and a livable future, strong environmental policy protects both our health and our wallets.I believe protecting our communities from gun violence is about prevention, not politics. Through my work with Moms Demand Action, I’ve stood with survivors and fought for common-sense laws that keep guns out of dangerous hands across Illinois.

I support strengthening red flag laws, safe gun storage requirements to protect children, stronger protections for domestic violence survivors, and school safety measures paired with mental health support. Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for young people. We must act with urgency to save lives and give families the tools to intervene before tragedy happens.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m personally passionate about policies that help families meet their most basic needs and build stable futures across Illinois. To me, this reflects Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, people can’t focus on opportunity, growth, or community if they can’t afford housing, healthcare, or groceries, or if they don’t feel safe. That’s why I focus on affordability, environmental protection that safeguards public health, and gun violence prevention. When families are safe, healthy, and financially stable, our entire community is stronger and better prepared to thrive long term.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I’m honored to have earned the support of respected leaders and organizations who share my commitment to serving Illinois families. I’ve been endorsed by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, Lake County Sheriff John Idelburg, and former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

I’m also proud to have the endorsement of organizations including Sierra Club, Personal PAC, Better Streets Chicago, College Democrats, and the Center for Freethought Equality. A full list of endorsements is available on my website.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a first generation born Latina, born and raised in Illinois. I earned a double major in Criminal Justice and Organizational Communications from Loyola University of Chicago (1985), and my J.D. from the John Marshall Law School (1989) and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. My career experience includes litigating workplace safety and health violations, including death; as well as, representing Black Lung victims who were being denied their Black Lung benefits from the coal mining companies they worked for while I was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Labor. I also worked on promoting a program within the Illinois State Treasurer’s office to encourage future first-time home owners to save for a downpayment. I was also a small business owner for 20 years. In addition, I have served my community in various positions including: Board member of the Citizens Utility Board, parent representative for a Local School Council for a Chicago Public School, board member for the North Barrington Planning, Building & Development Committee, Past president of the Barrington Rotary Club, and currently as Vice-Chair of the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals

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?

As a trained and experienced mediator and negotiator I commit to bringing the people that need to be at the table to talk through the issues and jointly resolve problems.

I will serve as a full-time State Representative to all 109,000 residents. I will be their eyes, ears and voice in Springfield, and listen intently with the purpose of serving them in my best capacity.

I am running to protect womens’ rights, reproductive healthcare, the environment, and to continue to enhance gun violence prevention laws here in Illinois - to name a few of the key issues.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about protecting our public schools and that any taxpayer money earmarked for public schools go just to public schools. I am also passionate about affordable housing. The purchase of a single family home is the stepping stone to generational wealth; however, there is a shortage of affordable housing. Another public policy I am passionate about is protecting worker’s rights - whether to organize to collectively bargain or to ensure fair living wages and affordable healthcare.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think the most important characteristics of an elected official are to be ethical and maintain a high level of integrity. Elected officials and candidates do no service to anyone when trying to be a chameleon. It’s very simple: follow the laws, uphold the laws, set the example of being a good and honest citizen, and to not be afraid to admit when you don’t know a particular subject, but submit to a willingness to get educated on the topic to have a knowledgeable and coherent conversation.

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

The qualities I possess that I believe would make me a successful officeholder are: I am a good listener to all who wish to talk to me. I don’t discount anyone because I believe everyone has something to offer. I am compassionate with those that struggle to make their lives better, as I too saw my own parents struggling as they themselves started with very little to living a healthy and vibrant middle class life of which I was a beneficiary of. I believe there is a solution to every problem and oftentimes it takes lots of negotiation and compromise for the problem to be solved. I am willing to admit that I may not know a particular subject, but if need be, I am all in to learn about the subject matter at hand if it is beneficial for my constituents, district, and the state.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Well there are several historical events that have happened in my time. The one that strikes me the most is the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 because I was in one of the World Trade Center Towers in June, 1992. I was 30 years old in awe at the massive height of the twin towers and amazed at how many people worked in these buildings. At the time of these attacks I was 38 years old, and I could not fathom how or why someone would plan such a heinous and destructive act, and I was trying to figure out how I was going to talk to my boys about this terrible human act.

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?

I have several stories, but this one is fresh - just today. I met a school nurse who told me how the school librarian was doxxed by a member of Moms 4 Liberty and eventually resigned because the librarian could not take the offenses lobbed at her. The nurse also told me how they walk a fine line in advice they give to their students walking into their office seeking reproductive healthcare suggestions, because the students don’t feel comfortable or safe asking their parents. It’s a fine line because this nurse told me that parents call them anonymously asking questions about what kind of advice they are giving to students.

This is concerning because public servants just want to do their jobs of being a school librarian or school nurse without the fear of being doxxed/cyber bullied. Doxxing and/or cyber bullying is harassment met to create harm, and not only does this need to stop, there should be stronger laws to protect those from these cyber attacks.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

AFL-CIO, Citizen Action, Equality IL, IL NOW, Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood IL Action, Teamsters Local 301, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Bill Foster, Congressman Sean Casten, Congressman Brad Schneider, Congressman Mike Quigley, Congressman Chuy Garcia, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy

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