Mary Edly-Allen is a Democratic state senator representing Illinois Senate District 31 since 2023. A teacher and educator from Libertyville, she previously served one term in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 51st District , defeating Republican incumbent Helene Walsh in 2018 before losing reelection to Chris Bos in 2020. She won her Senate seat in 2022, succeeding Melinda Bush, with her next election in 2028. Notable positions include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Child Welfare, and member of committees on Health and Human Services, Education, and Consumer Protection. She co-founded the educational nonprofit Foundation46, serves on the Illinois Science Olympiad board, and was a founding member of her school district's diversity committee.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Education from Northeastern Illinois University; master's degree in curriculum and instruction with bilingual certification from National Louis University.
• Professional Experience: Assistant director of adult education at Mundelein High School, where she teaches night classes to English language learners; active in Lake County community organizations.
• Political Experience: Illinois House ; Illinois Senate .