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Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Democratic Party) is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 17. She assumed office on January 9, 2019. Her current term ends on January 13, 2027.
Gong-Gershowitz (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 17. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz was born in Glenview, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's in journalism from Indiana University in 1991, and her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 1996. Gong-Gershowitz’s career experience includes working as a litigation associate with Winston & Strawn Limited Liability Partnership, and as director of immigration law practice at the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic. She is a co-founder of the Illinois Unaccompanied Children's Task Force.[1]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Gong-Gershowitz was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy & Environment Committee
- Immigration & Human Rights Committee, Chairperson
- Judiciary - Civil Committee, Chairperson
- Mental Health & Addiction Committee
2021-2022
Gong-Gershowitz was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy & Environment Committee
- Immigration & Human Rights Committee, Chair
- Judiciary - Civil Committee, Chair
- Mental Health & Addiction Committee
2019-2020
Gong-Gershowitz was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee
- Elementary & Secondary Education School Curriculum Policies Committee
- House Higher Education Committee
- Judiciary - Civil Committee
- Mental Health Committee, Vice chair
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz defeated Jim Geldermann in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) | 68.7 | 37,405 |
Jim Geldermann (R)  | 31.3 | 17,080 | ||
| Total votes: 54,485 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 100.0 | 11,639 |
| Total votes: 11,639 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Jim Geldermann advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jim Geldermann | 100.0 | 1,994 | |
| Total votes: 1,994 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Gong-Gershowitz in this election.
2022
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz defeated Bradley Martin in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) | 71.4 | 29,057 |
 | Bradley Martin (R) | 28.6 | 11,648 | |
| Total votes: 40,705 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 100.0 | 11,405 |
| Total votes: 11,405 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Bradley Martin advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bradley Martin | 100.0 | 3,257 |
| Total votes: 3,257 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz defeated Yesoe Yoon and Christopher Kruger in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) | 67.6 | 42,471 |
 | Yesoe Yoon (R) | 29.8 | 18,728 | |
 | Christopher Kruger (G) | 2.6 | 1,606 | |
| Total votes: 62,805 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 100.0 | 21,489 |
| Total votes: 21,489 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Yesoe Yoon advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Yesoe Yoon | 100.0 | 2,238 |
| Total votes: 2,238 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz defeated Peter Lee in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) | 69.2 | 34,328 |
 | Peter Lee (R) | 30.8 | 15,281 | |
| Total votes: 49,609 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz defeated Candance Chow, Mary Luecke, Alexandra Eidenberg, and Pete Dagher in the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 36.6 | 7,800 |
 | Candance Chow | 33.6 | 7,165 | |
 | Mary Luecke | 16.6 | 3,526 | |
 | Alexandra Eidenberg | 8.5 | 1,812 | |
 | Pete Dagher | 4.7 | 1,002 | |
| Total votes: 21,305 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17
Peter Lee advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Peter Lee | 100.0 | 4,631 |
| Total votes: 4,631 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on July 22, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz's responses follow below.[2]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | Top Priorities:
|
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | As the granddaughter of Chinese immigrants who faced deportation under the Chinese Exclusion Acts, I am outraged by the Trump Administration’s extreme agenda that is designed to demonize and dehumanize immigrant families who arrive at our border seeking protection. Trump’s “zero-tolerance policy” of separating children from their parents runs contrary to every American value that I have fought to defend my entire career as a human rights attorney. Since my early years as a litigator at Winston and Strawn, I have used the tools at my disposal to challenge the status quo. I have won cases to protect children from sex trafficking and worked to expand protections for unaccompanied immigrant children who are navigating the complex immigration system alone. As State Representative, I will be a strong voice for policies that support the diversity and welcoming spirit that make Illinois a state where families choose to live, work and thrive together.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz answered the following:
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
| “ | Ideally, our democracy is best served by those that respect the co-equal branches of government and are each willing to work together towards solutions by finding common ground.[4] | ” |
| “ | I believe it is more than beneficial to build relationships with other legislators; it’s essential.[4] | ” |
| “ | Over the past year, I have met many extraordinary people while out knocking on doors throughout my community. Their personal stories have helped to shape my platform and continue to inspire me daily. One woman’s story, in particular, made such an impact that I have shared it with others along the way. This woman, who is now in her late 80’s, is a Holocaust survivor. She shared her memories of a childhood lived in fear, deprivation and loss. Against unimaginable odds, she survived. She immigrated to the United States after many years spent in post-war camps for displaced persons, raised a family and helped others fleeing persecution to settle here. Her story is memorialized at the Illinois Holocaust Memorial Museum in Skokie. One comment that I found especially poignant is when she said this, “you know, I crossed a lot of borders to come here.”[4] | ” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 16 to May 29.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 27.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 5 to April 9.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 1.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 23.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through December 31.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 31.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Illinois House of Representatives District 17 |
Officeholder Illinois House of Representatives District 17 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Vote Smart, "Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Biography," accessed February 6, 2018
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz's responses," July 22, 2018
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Laura Fine (D) |
Illinois House of Representatives District 17 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
