Business and Community Leader Charise Williams announced her candidacy for the 1st District of Illinois Congressional seat today at the International Union of Operating Engineers IUOE (2260 S. Grove St.). Williams was previously the Chief of Staff/Deputy Director for the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, the Director of External Affairs for the Chicago Federation of Labor, Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy.
Williams is committed to transforming a historic moment into a progressive movement towards safer neighborhoods, job creation, economic development, affordable and accessible health care for all, high-quality education, and fighting for women’s rights. Williams is energized to leverage her public policy acumen and community relationships for the betterment of the 1st Congressional District.Â
“I believe in putting the people in the community of the 1st District of Illinois first.
“The District deserves to have real economic opportunities, increased resources for infrastructure, and more funding for violence prevention programs to make our neighborhoods safer, and to make them the places we know they are capable of being. The time is now for a legislator to be elected to office who understands the complete landscape of who and where they serve, a candidate with a track record of connecting with communities to deliver critical resources. That’s me!”Â
Williams would be the first woman to represent the 1st District elected. She will continue to add to her series of firsts being the first woman and person of color on the HIRE360 Board, and being the first Black woman to serve as Interim Executive Director at ICJIA. As a new class of legislators continues to emerge in Washington, D.C., representing diverse backgrounds, cultures, and constituents, more social and racial justice advocates are needed to protect our democracy and to fight for equity.Â
Charise Williams grew up on the Southside of Chicago and was raised by her mother, who is a recently retired Chicago Public School Teacher. Her father is a “retired” Marine, and her “bonus” mom has worked for Unite HERE for over ten years. Williams is also the proud mother of a 20-year-old son, currently attending Morehouse College. Williams is a graduate of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. She possesses a mastery of progressive issues that directly correlate to urban communities, transformation, and sustainability to residents who seek to live, work, and invest in their neighborhoods.
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