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What Demi Stands For
Demi Palecek is running for State Representative to fight for the values that matter most to our communities—from healthcare and housing to justice and education. She brings lived experience, legislative insight, and a record of showing up. Explore her key priorities below.
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PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
Demi believes every person deserves full autonomy over their body, their healthcare, and their future.
Reproductive freedom remains under constant threat, and we need leaders who will defend this fundamental right without compromise. I am committed to protecting and expanding access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including contraception, abortion care, fertility treatments, and maternal health services. Every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body, her healthcare, and her future in consultation with her doctor, not politicians.
I will fight any attempts to restrict access to reproductive healthcare and work to strengthen Illinois as a sanctuary state for those seeking care. This mission includes protecting healthcare providers who serve patients traveling from states with restrictive laws.
ENSURING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
Healthcare is a human right, and Demi will fight to make it accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.
Healthcare remains a critical priority for our district. I will fight to strengthen protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions and work to eliminate caps on health insurance contributions, ensuring that residents with expensive or long-term conditions receive the care they need throughout their lives. For example, we must ensure oral chemotherapy treatments are covered by insurance and improve our children's dental health through comprehensive school-based programs.
Beyond physical health, we must tackle the mental health crisis by expanding Community Mental Health funding, hiring more school counselors so that our children have access to the lifesaving quality care they need, and working to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse. By improving access to healthcare and enhancing outcomes, we can ensure that our communities and families are healthier, happier, and safer.
Strengthening Public Education
Every child deserves access to a well-funded public education—regardless of their zip code.
Education unleashes the potential of every child in our district. As someone who understands the transformative power of quality public education, I'm committed to ensuring every school, regardless of zip code, has access to excellent educators, materials, and support services. I will fight for the most significant education investments possible, working to provide free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and bringing transportation funding to help students get to school safely.
I will champion universal pre-K, bilingual education programs that serve our diverse communities, and wraparound services in every school. We must also address concerns over school closures and funding disparities that have historically impacted underserved communities.
Housing Affordability & Tenant Protections
Housing is a human right—and no one should be priced out of their neighborhood.
Rising rents and displacement threaten our neighborhoods across the Thirteenth. Once elected, I will champion Housing affordability measures, fight for increased affordable housing, and support just cause eviction. Housing is a human right, and it’s time policy reflects that. Our diverse communities, comprising longtime residents and our new neighbors, should have enough housing for everyone who wants to live here.
As an anti-war veteran, I’ve seen what violence does to families and communities. Our nation and all people should have a moral duty to stand for peace, accountability, and human dignity everywhere.
In Gaza, I support an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and comprehensive third-party investigations into all violations of international law. All people deserve safety, freedom, and justice. As a veteran dedicated to peace, I believe we must utilize our influence as a nation and as a group to strive for a lasting peace founded on equality and human rights.
I’m also deeply concerned about the ongoing crises in Sudan and other conflict zones, where civilians face famine, displacement, and violence. We must expand aid and support diplomatic solutions that end bloodshed and hold these violent actors accountable for their actions.
Real security comes from investing in people and providing them with the resources to stand with pride.
Gaza & Global Genocide
Promoting Environmental Sustainability & Transit
Demi believes environmental justice starts at the local level—and that our communities deserve clean air, safe water, and reliable transit.
Our lakefront and parks are treasured community assets that need protection. Climate change isn't something we can leave to future generations – we need pragmatic solutions now. I fully support transitioning to a greener economy while creating high-paying, union jobs and empowering local communities in this transition.
We must significantly invest in upgrading drinking water facilities and protecting the Great Lakes from pollution. I will prioritize climate resilience initiatives, green energy investments, and sustainable development projects. Public transit funding and reliability – especially for our CTA Red and Purple lines – remain critical for connecting our communities and reducing our environmental footprint.
Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Supporting Seniors
Illinois should be a welcoming, supportive home for all—no matter where you’re from or what language you speak.
I understand the challenges facing immigrant communities and am committed to protecting the large communities of immigrants in the 13th district. I will support sanctuary policies, fight for access to public services regardless of status, and advocate for culturally competent services. We must eliminate barriers, such as transcript evaluation fees for refugees, and ensure our newest neighbors can fully contribute to our communities.
Our older residents deserve to age with dignity, support, and security in the communities they helped build.
Our seniors deserve dignity and security in retirement. I will fight to protect pension benefits and ensure our older residents can age in place with access to comprehensive care coordination, emergency home response services, and day services. We must allocate significant funding to expand Community Care Programs because our seniors have earned the right to receive quality care in their own homes and communities.
Public Safety with a Justice Lens
LGBTQ+ Rights & Inclusion
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood—but safety must come with accountability, equity, and care.
Our communities want safety that works for everyone. I support community-centered approaches, including investments in community violence prevention, alternatives to incarceration, and mental health crisis response teams. We must address gun violence through evidence-based prevention efforts while ensuring accountability and avoiding over-policing that harms our most vulnerable neighbors.
Demi will fight to protect and affirm the dignity, safety, and rights of LGBTQ+ Illinoisans—no exceptions.
The 13th District is home to a vibrant LGBTQ+ population and institutions. I will advocate for comprehensive protections against discrimination in all forms, work to expand fundamental human rights, and support trans-inclusive healthcare. Our queer youth deserve safe spaces and housing support, and I will fight for policies that affirm the dignity and rights of all LGBTQ+ residents.
Ready to Build a Better Future Together?
Demi’s priorities are rooted in community, experience, and action. If you believe in this vision for Illinois, now’s the time to get involved.
Supporting Our Workforce & Economic Justice
Demi is committed to workers’ rights, economic fairness, and future-ready jobs for every Illinois family.
I understand the squeeze families face when wages remain stagnant while the cost of essentials continue to rise. That’s why I will continue to stand firmly with organized labor and work to make Illinois more worker-friendly by opposing anti-union legislation and protecting prevailing wage standards for publicly funded projects.
Workers' rights will remain a top priority, alongside fair wages, paid leave, and union protections. I'm committed to supporting small businesses, particularly those owned by minorities and immigrants, which are the backbone of our local economy. We must invest in the future of work by expanding statewide apprenticeship opportunities and programs for emerging industries like clean energy and technology.
Get Involved
4802 N. Broadway, Suite #200 Chicago, IL
contact@demiforillinois.com
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Demi Palecek is a former member of the US Air Force and Army National Guard. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by either branch of service, the Department of Defense or any branch of U.S. government.