About Representative Ammons

Representative Carol Ammons is the bicameral chair of the Illinois Black Caucus and the chair of the Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Committee. Additionally, she is a senior member of the Higher Education and Higher Education Appropriations committees, displaying a deep-rooted passion for educational excellence.

With an illustrious career spanning sixteen years across county, city, and state levels of government, she is currently in her fifth term representing the 103rd district in the Illinois General Assembly. Notably, she is the first African-American elected to champion the interests of the 103rd District, a testament to her pioneering spirit and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Representative Ammons's dedication to advancing equity and justice extends to her role as Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus and joint chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, where she has spearheaded transformative initiatives. Her joint chairmanship of the ILBC is particularly noteworthy, as she has been instrumental in driving forward four Legislative Pillars encompassing Criminal Justice Reform, Education and Workforce Development, Economic Access, Equity, and Opportunity, and Health Care and Human Services. These pillars represent her commitment to creating a fairer and more just society.

In recognition of her exemplary efforts, Representative Ammons has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Color of Change Thurgood Marshall Award for Public Service for Fair Education in 2022, the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation Legislative Leadership Award in 2021, and the National Shining Star Award from the National Organization of Black-Elected Legislative Women (N.O.B.E.L) in 2019, among others. Her reputation as an accomplished fellow, including her status as an Edgar Fellow, a CSG Midwest’s Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD) Fellow, and a Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow, speaks to her dedication to continuous growth and leadership excellence.

Representative Ammons's impact extends beyond her legislative duties, as she serves as the co-chair of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding Task Force and has chaired critical initiatives such as the Human Trafficking Task Force and the Higher Education in Prisons Task Force. Her past roles also include significant contributions to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Pretrial Practices Task Force and the Implementation Task Force.

Remarkably, Representative Ammons currently presides over one standing committee and serves on an impressive eight legislative committees, ranging from Appropriations-Higher Education to Small Business & Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship, demonstrating her versatility and ability to lead in diverse areas of governance.

As she continues to excel in her multifaceted roles, Representative Ammons remains a beacon of transformation and policy-making prowess in Illinois. Her enduring dedication to advancing equity, justice, and the well-being of her constituents solidifies her status as a true visionary leader, and her tireless efforts continue to shape a brighter future for the 103rd district and beyond.