Gong-Gershowitz Selected as Emerging Leader in Midwest Lawmaking

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Following a string of legislative milestones, state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, was selected by the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) to complete a leadership training program with 35 other lawmakers from the Midwest area.

“I would like to thank BILLD for this opportunity and for recognizing my work in the General Assembly,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to develop new skills as a lawmaker and a leader that will help me better represent our community in Springfield.”

Gong-Gershowitz was selected by BILLD for both her legislative successes as well as her unusually-rapid progress as a leader in the Illinois House of Representatives. She recently passed the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act, first-of-its-kind legislation to ensure Asian American representation in the public education curriculum. Gong-Gershowitz also helped lead the way on a landmark law to build transparency and trust between law enforcement and the immigrant community and another to provide better legal representation to immigrants.

This year, in recognition of her experience as an immigration attorney, she was selected as the first chairwoman of the House Committee on Immigration and Human Rights. She was also chosen as the first Asian American to chair the House Judiciary-Civil Committee, where she led the passage of numerous bills to reform Illinois’ civil law system.

“Working with and learning from other Midwestern legislators was an invaluable experience,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “While many of the challenges Illinois faces are unique, we share a great deal with our neighbors. Sharing solutions, innovative approaches and new data with other states makes Illinois stronger.”