Dagmara Avelar

Dagmara "Dee" Avelar is a Democratic member of the Illinois House from the 85th district since January 13, 2021. The 85th district, located in the Chicagoland area, covers parts of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Fairmont, Lemont, Lockport, Naperville, Romeoville, and Woodridge.
Avelar was elected to succeed outgoing Democratic then-state Representative John Connor, who was elected to the Illinois Senate.
Early life, education, and career.
Avelar was born in Quito, Ecuador and moved to Bolingbrook, Illinois with her parents when she was 12. She graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies with a minor in Political Science from Northeastern Illinois University in 2010 and earned her Master's Degree in Urban Planning and Policy Candidate at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has been an active community organizer since 2008. She previously worked at "Instituto Del Progreso Latino" "as an accredited representative with a focus on citizenship and DACA." As of 2020, she works at the "Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights" as Director of Programs.
Personal life.
Avelar resides in Bolinbrook, Illinois. She became a naturalized US citizen in April 2016.