Jessica Dixon Heitman appointed to former Rep. Benton’s seat (Updated)

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* Click here for some background if you need it. Jessica Dixon Heitman has been appointed to former Rep. Harry Benton’s seat. Press release…

The Democratic Representative Committee of the 97th District voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Jessica Dixon Heitman to serve as State Representative and to appear on the November ballot as the Democratic nominee for that seat.

The appointment follows the July 3 resignation of former Rep. Harry Benton, who also has formally withdrawn his candidacy.

“Jessica Dixon Heitman will be a strong, persistent, ethical, and effective advocate for the people of the 97th District,” said Billy Morgan, chair of the Will County Democratic Party. “She brings bold ideas and moral clarity to this new challenge, and I know we can count on her to fight for reform and help bring more accountability and transparency to our state government.”

“As I take on this new duty, I am going to do everything I can to make sure that our district builds the reputation it deserves – as a place that values community, ethics, civility, fiscal responsibility, and justice,” Dixon Heitman said in a brief statement after her appointment. “Going forward, my constituents can count on me to listen, to respond, and to represent them in ways that will make them proud, in Springfield and here at home.”

Dixon Heitman lives in Plainfield with her husband, Scott Heitman, and their three daughters. She has worked in communications throughout her career, including stints handling media relations in the Illinois House and Senate. She currently serves as President of Dixon / Heitman Collective, a communications firm. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and English from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

The Committee, which convened in a public meeting on Monday evening at Plainfield Township Community Center, consists of Morgan and Mary Jo Wenmouth, chair of the Kendall County Democrats. Will County Circuit Court Judge Colette Safford swore in Rep. Dixon Heitman immediately following the meeting.

Dixon is the granddaughter of former US Senator Alan Dixon.

Gabby Shanahan is the Republican nominee. The district leans Democratic in statewide races by an average of almost 7 percent over the past two cycles.

…Adding… Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman…

It is a great honor – and a great responsibility – to be chosen to represent my community in Springfield.

As the State Representative for the 97th District, I am committed to working hard to strengthen our public schools, ease the property tax burden, support local businesses, support workers’ rights, and bring equity to our broken healthcare system.

I also intend to be a leading voice for tougher ethics legislation, including new laws that that will specifically address the recurring issue of harassment in Springfield. There is a pressing need for laws that will set forth clear procedures and timelines for investigations of harassment by elected officials or staff.

As legislators, we have a responsibility to protect the targets of harassment from continuing abuse and potential retaliation. We also have a duty to our constituents to assure transparency and accountability, including consequences for any leaders who misuse their positions to harass women and men who are simply trying to do their jobs and serve the people of Illinois.

Over the years, I’ve heard people say that we need to change the culture in Springfield. I believe the problem is not just the culture – it’s our inadequate laws that allow that toxic culture to flourish.

I have lived in Plainfield with my husband and our three daughters for the better part of a decade. It has been painful to see the 97th District become notorious throughout our state because of the actions of our former representative.

As I take on this new duty, I am going to do everything I can to make sure that our district builds the reputation it deserves – as a place that values community, ethics, civility, fiscal responsibility, and justice. Going forward, my constituents can count on me to listen, to respond, and to represent them in ways that will make them proud, in Springfield and here at home.

We have a great deal of repair work ahead of us. But with the support of my neighbors in the 97th District, I feel confident that we will succeed.