Dagmara "Dee" Avelar is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 85th district, which includes parts of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Fairmont, Lemont, Lockport, Naperville, Romeoville, and Woodridge in the Chicago area. Born in Quito, Ecuador, she immigrated to Illinois at age 12 and resides in Bolingbrook. A former undocumented DREAMer, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2016. As Assistant Majority Leader on the Speaker of the House’s leadership team, she has championed legislation on drinking water protection, affordable healthcare, opioid crisis response, and affordable housing. She secured over $100 million in state funding for education, infrastructure, social services, small businesses, and workforce development in her district, and serves on the Restore, Reinvest, Renew Board and the Task Force on Foster Youth Transitioning Out of Care.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Bolingbrook High School ; B.A. in Justice Studies with a minor in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University ; Master's candidate in Urban Planning and Policy from University of Illinois at Chicago.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Illinois House in 2020, assuming office January 13, 2021, succeeding John Connor; full-time legislator. Previously, Director of Programs at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, leading the state’s largest naturalization initiative with 59 community organizations; accredited representative at Instituto Del Progreso Latino focusing on citizenship and DACA; board member, Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project. Began civic engagement as a teenager mobilizing voters in southwest suburbs.