Meet Our Team
Chief of Staff, Andrea Porter
Rep. Carol Ammons Office, Chief of Staff - Andrea Porter
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.
Early Life & Education
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)
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 Outreach Coordinator, Jacqueline Kalipeni
Rep. Carol Ammons Office, Community Outreach Coordinator - Jacqueline Kalipeni
Born in Malawi and raised in the United States, Jacqueline Kalipeni brings a global perspective rooted in African traditions of shared responsibility, collective care, and intergenerational leadership.
Jacqueline is widely recognized for her ability to mobilize communities, shape critical policy conversations, and inspire transformational leadership.
Currently, as the Community Engagement and Outreach Manager, she cultivates meaningful partnerships between government, faith leaders, nonprofits, and residents. In this role, she is known for translating complex policy into accessible action, strengthening civic participation, and building coalitions that reflect the lived experiences of the communities they serve.
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.”
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 also strengthened her professional skill set by earning a Digital Marketing Certification.
Academic Research & Advocacy
As a scholar and researcher, 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.
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
A Research fellow in the Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago program, where she contributes to conversations focused on expanding educational access and equity
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
