Stewart celebrates family ties on election night

State Senator congratulates daughter

State Senator Beverly Stewart celebrated with her extended family, including her mother, two sisters, and two daughters and their husbands, at her campaign’s election night party Tuesday, November 8 at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Rogers Park. Senator Stewart won reelection to the Illinois Senate's 10th District with 73% of the vote.

Stewart’s mother, Dorothy Stewart, sang "Happy Birthday" to Stewart’s youngest daughter, Rianna, 25, who turned 25 on Election Day and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Stewart took the stage to thank her supporters. Stewart’s two daughters, Sierra Bogan and Rianna Bogan, campaigned with their mother, walking door to door and making phone calls to potential voters.

"This job takes a lot out of me, and I don’t know how I would do this without support of my family,” Stewart said. “They make a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to do this, and I’m so honored to have my mom, my two daughters and their husbands and my two sisters here with me tonight.”

Continuing focus on community

Stewart, who was first elected to the Illinois House in 2002 and to the state Senate in 2006, said she was happy with her election results. She said she plans to continue working on the issues of gun violence and affordable housing.

"Chicago is at a crossroads,” Stewart said. “We can either continue investing in violence and mass incarceration or we can invest in our communities and in our children. We need to find solutions to violence and be brave enough to try new approaches."

Stewart said she would continue to work to increase affordable housing options for Chicago residents.

"Everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live,” Stewart said. “We need to make sure that all Chicagoans have access to safe, affordable housing options.”

Political career began with community involvement

Stewart, 59, has lived in Rogers Park since 1984, when she moved to Chicago to attend law school at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago-Kent College of Law. She became a State Senator after serving four years in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Stewart’s interest in politics, legislation and social justice issues began when she did research for her undergraduate honors thesis at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio-Television with emphasis on mass media and politics in 1984.

After graduating from law school, Stewart became involved in local community organizations, including the Rogers Park Community Council and the Coalition for a Better Rogers Park. She also became involved in local Democratic politics, eventually becoming committeeperson of Chicago’s 49th Ward.

Overcoming election challenges

Stewart said she felt her reelection campaign went well, despite what she described as some negative campaigning. She said she was proud that she ran a positive campaign and focused on the issues that are important to 10th District voters.

"I think my supporters appreciated that I didn’t go negative,” Stewart said. “I didn’t have to resort to personal attacks, because I have a record of working hard for my constituents and delivering results. I want to thank my campaign volunteers and staff, including Campaign Manager Ken Mejia-Beal, for helping me get reelected.

Stewart said she is looking forward to continuing to work for the residents of the 10th District. "I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue representing the people of the 10th District,” Stewart said. “I will continue to work hard to make a difference in our community."