Two days after State Sen. Laura Fine announced plans to run for Congress, Evanstonian Rachel Ruttenberg has launched a campaign to succeed Fine in Springfield.
Ruttenberg, who until recently was deputy chief of staff for policy in the office of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, is also deputy committeeperson for the Democratic Party of Evanston.
Ruttenberg says she her goals are “making our communities more affordable, strengthening our schools and healthcare systems and protecting our constitutional and civil rights.”
She says he has endorsements from Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, State Rep. Bob Morgan, State Rep. Daniel Didech as well as Northfield Township Trustee Daniel Schack, Skokie Trustee Lissa Levy, Committeeperson Emeritus Mike Kreloff, and former Evanston Democratic Committeeperson Eamon Kelly.
“Rachel has the experience and determination to stand up for residents of the 9th district and make sure Illinois remains strong in the face of our upcoming challenges,” Gabel said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work together in the General Assembly.”
Ruttenberg, who has a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University, graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law with a certificate in public interest law.
She formerly worked as senior director of policy advocacy for the Heartland Alliance and before that was executive director of the Family Defense Center.
Ruttenberg is hosting a campaign kickoff breakfast at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Bluestone, 1923 Central St. in Evanston.
