Donna Miller cut the ribbon on Sunday, Jan. 11, to officially open her campaign headquarters for her effort to win the Illinois 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives currently held by Robin Kelly.

Her campaign will be operating from 1835 Dixie Highway, Building B, Suite 200, in Flossmoor.

Kelly announced last year that she will not seek re-election and will instead compete for a U.S. Senate seat. Competition for the open 2nd District seat is fierce, with 10 Democratic candidates on the ballot in the March 17 primary. The winner will face Republican and independent candidates in November.

Miller has represented the Cook County Board of Commissioners 6th District, including Homewood, for the past eight years. She said the issues she has focused on at the county level will transfer to the 2nd District and the nation.

Miller has championed healthcare initiatives, especially maternal care and reproductive rights, as well as veterans issues.

She noted that she led the effort to create the county’s first doula program, something she would like to see scale up at the national level. Doulas provide non-medical support for women before, during and after childbirth.

She cited a recent incident at an area hospital where a woman arrived in labor and was told to go home. Her husband ended up delivering the child in their vehicle after they left the hospital. 

“We cannot have doctors and nurses who just don’t listen to women,” she said.

Miller said she will fight to reverse the erosion of healthcare and veterans benefits.

“People who served our country and fought for us to have our freedoms deserve all the benefits that we have,” she said. “We need to have our veterans supported on every level, from healthcare, housing, education, jobs.”

Although the 2nd District is geographically diverse, starting at 43rd Street in Chicago and going south to Danville, Miller said she thinks there is more unity among constituents in the district than people might assume.

“The one thing that all of these areas have in common is we all kind of care about the same things,” she said, citing healthcare and affordability as matters that affect everyone.

Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson and Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld were on hand to support Miller.

Nelson said she and Miller knew each other before either entered politics. 

“When she transitioned over to being a Cook County commissioner, I wasn’t surprised at all by her hustle and the service that she provides to her entire district,” Nelson said. “Anything I need, she’s there for it. But it’s not just me. She is there for all of her constituents. She has assembled an incredible team back in her office.”

Hofeld endorsed Miller for the same reason, he said, citing her performance as county commissioner. 

“I’m supporting her because whenever I went to her for something for the village of Homewood, she was there for us,” he said. “And very importantly, she’s a business person. We need more business people in government.”