Rep. Laura Fine Running For State Senate

GLENVIEW, IL — An early favorite has emerged to replace outgoing 9th District State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) as 17th District State Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced her candidacy and several early endorsements Friday. Fine, a former teacher and advocate for taking on the insurance industry, followed Biss — currently seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination — into her current seat and hopes to succeed him a second time in the state senate.

After her husband Michael lost his arm at the shoulder when a cement truck plowed into his car head on, Fine’s family faced bankruptcy when their insurance company refused to pay medical bills for multiple surgeries and attempted to drop her husband’s coverage. With close to $600,000 in medical bills, Fine fought tirelessly with both the auto and health insurance companies for the quality care her husband needed to recover.

“I ran for the legislature in 2012 to take on the powerful insurance industry and became an advocate for leveling the playing field for all Illinois families against special interests who put their profits above people,” Fine said. “In the State Senate, I will continue to be a voice for our families when they are treated unfairly, and I will not hesitate to do the hard things to make sure people are treated right.”

In one of her first acts as a state lawmaker, Fine authored a bill that would increase mandatory automobile insurance liability limits, which had been frozen in Illinois since the 1980's. This bill, which is now law, insured that any family that suffers a tragedy or crisis would have the resources they need to take care of their loved ones. (Sign up for the latest breaking news alerts and daily newsletters from Wilmette, Evanston or your local community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Continuing her support for working families, this year Fine led the fight to block President Trump’s health care law in Illinois. Fine also passed legislation to force insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions. That bill is on Governor Bruce Rauner's desk.

Fine has been a champion of women’s rights and has won the early support of two local leaders who live in the 9th Senate District.

State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) said. “Laura Fine is the exact kind of leader our community needs. Someone who works tirelessly on behalf of others and who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. I have had the privilege of working with her both on the local and the state level and I have seen firsthand her commitment to her constituents and I am proud to support her and her candidacy for state Senate.”

Metropolitan Water Commissioner Debra Shore (D-Evanston) added, “I am enthusiastically supporting Laura Fine for IL Senate because I know her to be a woman of experience, integrity, thoughtful approaches to legislation, and deep compassion. Frankly, we need more collaboration and less egos in the General Assembly. Laura is eminently qualified.”

As a former teacher, Fine is a passionate advocate and supporter of public education on all levels. Despite Governor Rauner’s claims, she along with her other colleagues continue to stand up to his attacks on public school funding in Springfield and has fought to make sure every child in Illinois receives their fair share of education funding.

» Photos, information via Laura Fine for State Senate