Laura Ellman is a Democratic State Senator representing Illinois' 21st Senate District, which includes parts of Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Wheaton, and Warrenville. Elected to the Illinois General Assembly in November 2018, she has served since 2019 and is currently in her fourth term as of 2026. A Naperville resident, she lives with her husband Pete and children Lizzie and Barrett. With over 25 years in manufacturing and engineering, she currently works as an assessor at a national laboratory, applying her expertise in regulations and policies. She grew up in Hanover Park, graduated from Elgin High School, and has deep ties to the district through work in Lisle, Warrenville, Wheaton, and Naperville.

Notable achievements include establishing the Hydrogen Economy Task Force to position Illinois as a leader in a regional hydrogen hub, combating the opioid epidemic by improving access to overdose reversal drugs, and designating Dolostone as Illinois' official state rock. She serves on committees including Human Rights, Insurance, and Transportation, and holds leadership roles as Chairperson of Environment and Conservation and Vice-Chairperson of Financial Institutions. Ellman is active in community service, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, Naperville Fair Housing Commission, Toastmasters, and as an ESL tutor.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Mathematics from Grinnell College; M.A. in Applied Statistics from the University of Iowa.
• Political Experience: Elected Illinois State Senator for the 21st District in 2018; re-elected for subsequent terms, focusing on hydrogen economy advancement, environmental conservation, and public health initiatives. Prior professional experience in private sector problem-solving informs her legislative work.