FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5th, 2023

Equality Illinois Celebrates Historic Victories for Trans Representation in Southern Illinois and Will County
Clare Killman and Jackie McKethen are only the fourth and fifth Trans people elected to office in Illinois

A statement from Myles Brady Davis, Communications Director of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Illinoisans:

“We are extremely proud of the historic electoral victories of Clare Killman for the Carbondale City Council and Jackie McKethen for the Crete Library Board. With yesterday’s exciting election results, Killman will be the first Trans person to serve on a city council in Illinois and McKethen will be the first Trans person to serve on a library board in Illinois. With only five Trans people now elected to office in Illinois, Trans people remain severely underrepresented in all levels of government. Killman and McKethen will be powerful voices for change and will inspire more Trans people to run for office in their communities. Now more than ever, we need Trans voices in rooms of power. We look forward to advancing justice with Clare Killman on the Carbondale City Council and Jackie McKethen on the Crete Library Board.”

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