Virtual Conversation with Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Illinois state representative of the 17th District, will join Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw for a virtual conversation at 10:00 a.m. CT Tuesday, August 17. Gong-Gershowitz and Shaw will discuss the representative’s work on human rights, immigration reform, and mental health protections, as well as her nationally recognized effort to make Illinois the first state to require that Asian-American history be taught in public schools.

Gong-Gershowitz, who lives in Glenview, Illinois, has served in the state’s General Assembly since 2019. Before being elected to the statehouse, her career as a lawyer focused on advocacy for immigrants, including victims of child trafficking and forced marriage. She served on the Illinois Unaccompanied Children’s Task Force, where she encouraged the use of pro bono social workers to serve as guardians ad litem for children going through the immigration system.

This event is part of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s Understanding Our New World virtual conversation series with government and private sector leaders, policy experts, political analysts, authors, and journalists.

If you have a question for Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, please include it below in the “Questions & Comments” box or email it to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.