Mary Edly-Allen: 2024 candidate for Illinois Senate District 31

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Illinois Senate District 31

City: Libertyville

Age: 61

Occupation: Part-time assistant director of adult education

Previous offices held: State Representative for the 51st Legislative District in the 101st General Assembly

How should the state respond to the influx of migrants bussed here from Southern states?

Illinois has always been a proud example of welcoming immigrants. Many of these migrants are escaping life-threatening situations and are here legally seeking asylum. The migrant crisis is incredibly complex and immigration is a national issue that requires collaboration across state and party lines.

Are you satisfied with the state's existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?

I strongly believe that elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards. This is why I called out corruption in my own party while I was serving in the Illinois House of Representatives. My father taught me a critical life lesson that “what may not be illegal can be unethical.”

I have tried to live my life leading by example. I believe we need to be what we want to see in the world — not just in the legislature, but in our daily lives.

Would you support a requirement that election petitions include a line asking candidates for their campaign email address?

I would not oppose this requirement as I believe that voters should have access to the candidates seeking to represent their communities. The ability to contact candidates via email allows for voters to actively participate in the election process.

How well do you think criminal justice reforms made in recent years are working? What, if any, changes need to be made?

Our criminal justice policies in Illinois should focus on the best approaches to maintaining healthy and safe communities and continue to make the criminal justice system more equitable. Reforms like the SAFE-T Act continue to produce positive results.

Other initiatives like the Lake County Sheriff’s COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) program can be very effective in addressing mental health issues. It builds on an existing co-responder program that sends social workers and a sheriff’s deputy to follow up on individuals who have interacted with law enforcement who may be suffering from mental health or substance abuse disorders.

We need to focus on ways to break the cycle of crime and recidivism by investing in mental health services that can help treat addiction and other mental health issues. Finally, I am committed to supporting local law enforcement by giving them the necessary resources for community building and engagement in order to keep our communities safe.

We now have an assault weapons ban in Illinois. What if any changes should be made to the law? What more can be done to improve gun safety?

As a strong supporter of common sense gun legislation, I support the recent assault weapons ban in Illinois. I am endorsed by leading gun violence prevention organizations such as Moms Demand Action, and G-PAC. I will listen to and work with groups such as these, my constituents, and others to develop effective policy that will keep our community safer.

Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates regular behind-the-wheel tests for senior drivers. Do you support any changes?

I strongly believe that it is our moral responsibility to care for our seniors and ensure the government is meeting their needs. Many seniors are on a fixed income, which makes affording ride-share services when they are no longer able to drive themselves severely difficult. I would be open to any changes and would be sure to include all stakeholders in the conversation to ensure our seniors' needs are being appropriately met and that there would be no ramifications on any Illinoisans.

What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?

District 31 has been my home for over 20 years. My mom was a teacher and my dad was a U.S. Navy veteran and maintenance worker. My parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, ethics, and integrity.

When my children were young, I served as president of our local PTO and co-founded a nonprofit to help enhance educational experiences for teachers and students in the school district. I have a B.A. in Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a bilingual certification. Currently, I am the part-time Assistant Director of Adult Education at Mundelein High School.

I am active in many community organizations and have served on the board of the Illinois Science Olympiad. In addition, I served as the State Representative for the 51st Legislative District in the 101st General Assembly. As a legislator, teacher, and single mom, I bring to Springfield a unique perspective rooted in a deep understanding of the needs and challenges that our community faces every day.