Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller announced Wednesday, May 28, that she is forming an exploratory committee to run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District in response to requests by supporters. Currently, Miller is serving her second term on the Cook County board, representing the 6th District, which includes Homewood.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) has announced she is running for U.S. Senate and will not be filing to run again for the 2nd District House seat, which represents Homewood and Flossmoor.

Miller has been involved with community, civic and political activities throughout her life, including an internship on Capitol Hill, Red Cross volunteer and working in communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and Sickle Cell. 

She was instrumental in bringing together government providers and advocate stakeholders to include Cystic Fibrosis in newborn screening in Illinois. She also has been active in hosting community blood drives throughout Illinois and is a strong vocal advocate for addressing maternal morbidity. 

Miller was presented with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden for her work in medical equity and awareness.

She has served as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois and its political action committee. Miller is vice president of Illinois Democratic Women and former president of Democratic Women of the South Suburbs. She is a member of the League of Women Voters.

The following south suburban mayors make up the exploratory committee:

• Dolton Mayor Jason House.
• Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson.
• Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld.
• Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry.
• Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa.
• Olympia Fields Mayor Sterling “Stoney” Burke.
• South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff.

“I’m honored by the calls asking me to run to continue the work I’ve done throughout my professional and political career around health care and education — to make sure everyone has access to both,” says Miller, who was raised in Chicago, but has lived in the South Suburbs for over 25 years. “The work I’ve done so far is the culmination of my life experience in multiple arenas — civic, nonprofit, corporate, personal and family. I’m interested in making that same impact on the federal level.”

The third generation Howard University alumna is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated-Lambda Tau Omega Chapter. She is married to former Illinois state representative Dr. David Miller and they are the parents of two sons.