Sonya Marie Harper is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 6 on Chicago's South Side since her appointment on October 20, 2015, to replace the late Esther Golar. The district includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, McKinley Park, New City, and West Englewood. A lifelong journalist, community organizer, and advocate for equitable economic development, she has focused on strengthening neighborhoods, urban agriculture, food access, and addressing systemic inequities. Notable achievements include serving as Joint Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, where she led a four-pillar agenda against systemic racism and secured a historic $2.5 billion investment in vulnerable communities; chairing the Agriculture & Conservation Committee as the first Black woman and person of color in U.S. history to lead a state House agriculture committee; authoring the Illinois Farmer Equity Act, establishing the Agriculture Disparity Study and Agriculture Equity Commission; sponsoring the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission; and passing laws for school lead testing, the Right to Garden Act, and SNAP hot meal incentives.

Education and Political Experience

Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Broadcast News from the University of Missouri-Columbia .

Political Experience:
- Representative, Illinois House of Representatives, District 6 .
- Chair, Agriculture & Conservation Committee.
- Joint Chair, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus .
- Member of committees including Appropriations-Public Safety & Infrastructure, Economic Opportunity & Equity, Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies, Energy & Environment, Health Care Availability & Access, and Environmental Justice Subcommittee.
- Prior roles: Owner, Sharper PR Communications ; Executive Director, Grow Greater Englewood ; founder, Wood Street Meet and Greet Community Garden; community organizer, Resident Association of Greater Englewood; community representative, Local School Council at Lindblom Math and Science Academy; co-founder and campaign director, Englewood Votes!; former director of outreach, Growing Home Inc.; former news producer at Fox 19, KOMU-TV, and KOPN.