After eight years representing the 34th District in the Illinois General Assembly, Rep. Nick Smith decided he will not seek reelection this year.
Instead, Aja Kearney and Cleopatra Cowley are poised to compete in the March 17 Democratic primary. No Republican filed to run for the seat.
The district stretches from the South Side neighborhood of Roseland south along the Indiana border and into the Kankakee area. It includes all or parts of Burnham, Calumet City, Chicago, Crete, Ford Heights, Grant Park, Hopkins Park, Kankakee, Lansing, Lynwood, Momence, Sauk Village, South Holland, St. Anne and Sun River Terrace.
Aja Kearney
Kearney’s interest in public service was fostered from a young age. A nearly lifelong South Side resident, she recalls during high school tagging along with her mother, was an assistant to a Chicago alderman, to community events and political meetings.
She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After graduation, she says she grew more active in community organizing, eventually becoming chairman of the Cook County Young Democrats. Kearney worked within several county government departments, including the office of the board president.
She said she stepped away to raise her daughter and has owned several small businesses. She most worked for the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church and 33rd District Rep. Marcus Evans.
Kearney has sought office once before, in a crowded race for 6th Ward alderman in 2023. William Hall, a pastor at St. James Community Church and the director of faith and community for UCAN, a crime prevention and social service agency, was endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker and ultimately gained the seat.
Kearney said she has fond memories volunteering for former 34th District Rep. Connie Howard and took inspiration from her leadership.
“It gave me a view of what’s needed in the community,” Kearney said.
She said she hopes to make the 34th District office as transparent and community focused as possible.
“A lot of people don’t fully understand what certain elected officials’ offices are for,” Kearney said. “It’s important to educate people about what our office is for, what we can do and how we can help.”
Kearney said she would focus on building relationships and learning how to best address issues of importance to the district.
Priorities include addressing environmental issues, public safety, health care access and economic development, Kearney said.
In the 6th Ward in particular, Kearney said, the lack of a nearby trauma center creates challenges when emergencies arise.
“What’s most important is preventative measures,” Kearney said. “But things happen, and when they do, you should have the same access to the same necessities to make sure you are able to survive and thrive.”
Cleopatra Cowley
Cowley’s campaign is shaped by tragedy — the 2013 South Side shooting death of her 15-year-old daughter, Hadiya Pendleton.
Since Hadiya’s death, Cowley has been outspoken in calls to end gun violence.
“My life has been forever changed because of what someone else did,” she told the Tribune in 2013. “I’m not going to be extremely political, but if I can help someone else not go through what we’ve gone through, then I have to do what I can.”
Cowley wants to champion policies that attack the root causes of violence while holding offenders accountable, according to her campaign website. Plans include investing in economic opportunities and mental health support within 34th District communities.
Cowley’s website states within historically underserved areas, she plans to boost economic development by providing more resources for small businesses and boosting job training opportunities.
She also intends to fight for equitable school funding and mentorship programs while improving access to high-quality, affordable health care, including trauma services.
Cowley did not respond to repeated requests for an interview.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
