Kam Buckner is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 26th District entirely within Chicago, including neighborhoods such as Bronzeville, Downtown, Gold Coast, Hyde Park, South Shore, and others. Born on May 12, 1985, in Chicago, he is the son of a Chicago Public School teacher and a law enforcement officer. A former college football player for the Illinois Fighting Illini as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman, Buckner has held key leadership roles including past chair of the Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus and current Assistant Majority Leader. Notable achievements include sponsoring legislation on gun control, education funding, collegiate athlete name-image-likeness rights, and leading negotiations on the Climate Equity and Jobs Act for 100% clean energy by 2050; he also passed a bill correcting errors in published criminal records.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. Served as adjunct professor at University of Chicago's Undergraduate College of Public Policy.
• Political Experience: Appointed to the House on January 18, 2019, succeeding Christian Mitchell; re-elected unopposed in 2020. Previously worked as an aide to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
• Professional Background: Vice president of governmental affairs at Outfront Media; former executive director of World Sport Chicago ; led Chicago Cubs' government and neighborhood relations for Wrigley Field renovation; former Chicago State University Board of Trustees member. Active in groups like Economic Club of Chicago and Chicago Council on Global Affairs.