Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) announced on May 6 that she will run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Dick Durbin’s retirement, and soon after, competitors for her 2nd District seat in the House of Representatives began attracting interest from area politicians. 

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, 6th District, announced on May 28 that she was forming an exploratory committee to run for Kelly’s seat. She is serving her second term on the Cook County board of commissioners. She represents Homewood.

Miller, of Lynwood, has long focused on health related programs and legislation, including working in communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and sickle cell, supporting newborn screening for cystic fibrosis, hosting blood drives, advocating for solutions to maternal morbidity.

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.

Her exploratory committee includes seven south suburban mayors. Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld and Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson are on on the committee.

“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,” Miller said. “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.”

Yumeka Brown of Matteson announced on May 22 that she was running.

“I’m running for Congress in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District because my story is our story,” she said. “I’ve never lived anywhere else, born and raised right here in this district. I’ve walked the same streets, faced the same struggles, and shared the same hopes as so many of you that I’ve talked to.”

Brown currently serves on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commission and as Matteson village clerk.

“I’ve worked to protect our water, improve infrastructure, and fight for transparency and accountability in government,” Brown said her in campaign announcement. 

On May 31, Eric France of Lynwood announced his campaign during a launch event at the  La Isla Bonita Marina Cafe in Burnham.

France declared that he is not a politician. 

His career has been in business, working with nonprofit organizations and churches, developing afford affordable housing, and advocating for people affected by domestic violence.

“I am running for Congress because I believe the people of the second congressional district deserve both compassionate and accountable leadership,” he said. “For far too long, we’ve watched our communities cry for opportunity to be met only with silence from the varying institutions meant to serve them.”

He also expressed support for the development of the South Suburban Airport, an idea south suburban lawmakers and business leaders have been advocating for decades. 

In mid-May, state Sen. Robert Peters Peters of Chicago, who represents the 13th District and currently serves as Majority Caucus Whip, announced his intention to run for the 2nd District seat. He chairs the Public Safety Committee and the Labor Committee. 

He helped pass the SAFE-T Act, which reformed the court bail system.

He was a co-sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act, which supports abortion rights, following U.S Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade. 

Adal Regis joined the race about the same time as Peters. 

He is a policy strategist who served as a district representative for Kelly and currently is director of strategy at a Chicago-based environmental justice nonprofit.

According to his campaign website, he “leads clean energy and climate resilience initiatives in neighborhoods historically excluded from investment.”

He also serves on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Task Force on Black Immigrants.

Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin also has formed a committee to explore the possibility of running for the 2nd District seat, according to a Chicago Tribune report.