Meet Our Team
Chief of Staff
Andrea Porter
Office of State Rep. Carol Ammons
Chief of Staff- Andrea Porter, she/her
Early Life & Education
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Andrea Porter’s story is rooted in resilience, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to community impact.
From an early age, Andrea faced profound adversity, losing both parents—one to gun violence and one to drug addiction. She was adopted at age two by her paternal grandmother, Gloria Porter, who became a guiding force in her life and nurtured her passion for education and personal growth.
Growing up as an only child in Chicago, Andrea excelled academically and actively participated in after-school programs and honor societies. She attended Simeon Career Academy, where she majored in Cosmetology.
By age 18, she had already achieved two major milestones:
High school diploma earned
Licensed Cosmetologist
First Steps into Community Work
Andrea’s early work with her local park district sparked a deeper interest in public service and municipal government. That experience led her into community organizing, with a focus on child care and family support systems.
Career Growth & Leadership
In 2008, Andrea relocated to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, where she gained management experience in both retail and health care. There, she became further inspired by a community deeply engaged in social change.
Her journey in public service reached a turning point in 2018 when she joined State Representative Carol Ammons’ district office as a Legislative Aide. In this role, she supported:
Constituent services
Public policy and outreach
Strengthening district relationships
Leadership Today
Andrea’s dedication and leadership led to her appointment as Chief of Staff, where she now:
Oversees the district office
Manages internship programs
Coordinates scheduling and budgeting
Supervises Constituent Services
Supports the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus
Beyond her district role, Andrea’s leadership extends statewide and nationally:
Illinois Ambassador for AALSCC under NBCSL leadership
Elected Secretary in 2020
Vice Chair of NBLSLC (appointed 2023)
Chair of NBLSLC (2024–present)
Advisory Council Board Member for loss prevention dollars
(Illinois Department of Human Services)
Training staff nationally to advance in government
Community Commitment
Andrea remains deeply committed to advancing equity for local nonprofits, churches, and community organizations—continuing her mission to create meaningful, lasting change. She has supported over 100 interns with Rep. Ammons office in building successful careers, many of whom have gone on to become attorneys, leaders in their fields, researchers, and graduate students.
Contact:
District Office (Urbana)
Address: 300 S. Broadway, Suite 154A, Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: (217) 531-1660
Fax: (217) 666-7521
Hours: Generally Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Friday)
Email: chief@staterepcarolammons.com
Community Engagement and Outreach Manager
Jacqueline Kalipeni
Office of State Rep. Carol Ammons
Community Engagement Outreach Manager - Jacqueline Kalipeni, she/her
Early Life & Education
Jacqueline Kalipeni is a community advocate, nonprofit leader, and public engagement professional whose work is rooted in equity, service, and community empowerment.
Originally from Malawi, Africa, Jacqueline came to the U.S. through the political asylum process. This experience profoundly shaped her understanding of advocacy, access, and the importance of community support systems. Those lived experiences became the foundation for her passion for civic engagement and public service. As a result, Jacqueline has consistently centered her work around uplifting underserved populations, creating culturally responsive community initiatives, and ensuring individuals feel seen, heard, and connected to resources.
Jacqueline earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, concentrating in African American history from Reconstruction to the present day. She later earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
First Steps into Community Work
Jacqueline’s commitment to community engagement began through direct service, volunteerism, and grassroots organizing. She quickly became recognized throughout the community as a “resource of resources”—someone individuals and families could turn to for guidance, support, connections, and solutions.
Her work expanded into:
Nonprofit leadership
Event coordination
Advocacy initiatives that focuses on education, wellness, youth empowerment, immigrant communities, and equitable access to services
Career Growth & Leadership
Jacqueline has developed a reputation as a strong relationship builder and strategic community leader. Her ability to organize impactful programs, cultivate partnerships, and elevate community voices.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Jacqueline has served in several civic and community-focused roles:
Serving on the Board of Directors for Uniting Pride
Involvement with the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana
Supporting community initiatives in equity, inclusion, and public engagement.
Organizing educational events, supporting outreach campaigns, advocating for families, and amplifying conversations around representation and access.
Leadership Today
Jacqueline’s leadership style is grounded in compassion, visibility, and action. Today, she works directly with residents in Illinois by:
Connecting them to state resources
Organizing community events
Strengthening constituent engagement
Supporting initiatives that improve quality of life
Translating systems into tangible support for the communities they are meant to serve
Community Commitment
Jacqueline remains deeply committed to building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. Her work reflects a belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue stability, fulfillment, and success regardless of background or circumstance.
Contact:
District Office (Urbana)
Address: 300 S. Broadway, Suite 154A, Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: (217) 531-1660
Fax: (217) 666-7521
Hours: Generally Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Friday)
Email: SERVICES@staterepcarolammons.com
Communications Coordinator
Kia Clair
Rep. Carol Ammons Office, Communications Coordinator - Kia Clair
“My favorite part of my role is feeling consistently informed about updates in Illinois and seeing in real time what our legislators are accomplishing in Springfield.”
Early Life & Education
Kia attended Kirkwood Community College and received an Associates of Liberal Arts. Upon completion, she attended Northern Illinois University, graduating with University Honors and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Governance and Politics, along with a certificate in Black Studies.
During her academic journey, she strengthened her professional skill set by earning a Digital Marketing Certification.
Academic Research & Advocacy
As a scholar, Kia presented her award-winning research, “The Study of Black Hair: Oppression in the Mainstream Media,” at the 50th Annual National Council for Black Studies Conference and at Conference for Undergrad Research (CURE)—her work earned 1st place in the Interdisciplinary Studies category.
Leadership Today
She continues her advocacy work where she contributes to conversations focused on expanding educational access and equity:
A board member of the Partnership for College Completion (Current) where she contributes to conversations focused on expanding educational access and equity
A research fellow in the Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago program, where she researches the intersection of the school-to-prison pipeline and surveillance in schools, using ZIP code–based analysis to examine disparities and propose community-centered solutions.
A board member of Young Invincibes, helping shape policy priorities and outreach efforts by advocating for health care, workforce development, economic opportunity, and education.
Leadership Today
Kia began her journey with the office as a Communications and Media Aide Intern, where she supported digital storytelling, social media management, and outreach initiatives. Her dedication and growth led to her advancement into the role of Communications Coordinator, where she now translates messaging into clear, compelling content across social media platforms, press releases, and newsletters while ensuring alignment with Rep. Ammons brand and priorities.
Contact:
District Office (Urbana)
Address: 300 S. Broadway, Suite 154A, Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: (217) 531-1660
Fax: (217) 666-7521
Hours: Generally Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Friday)
Email: communications@staterepcarolammons.com
Rep. Carol Ammons Office, Research Fellow - TBA
Rep. Carol Ammons Office, Research Fellow - TBA
The Center for Social and Behavioral Science (CSBS), with support from the Office of the Chancellor for Public Engagement, created the Policy and Research Legislative Fellows Program to connect academic research with real-world policymaking in Illinois. The nonpartisan fellowship brings together students from diverse fields of study to work alongside legislators on public policy initiatives aimed at improving communities across the state.
Participants are selected through a competitive application process based on their research experience, skills, and commitment to public service. Fellows collaborate with legislative offices to help bridge the gap between theory and practice while exploring the real-world impact of policy and research.
Previous research fellows
