Heather Steans brings outstanding experience to her position as the 7th District State Senator.

Heather won the February 2008 Democratic Primary and was subsequently appointed to serve as former State Senator Carol Ronen’s replacement in the senate.  Heather started her first term on February 11, 2008.  She currently serves as Vice chair of the Education and Environment committees and serves on the Human Services, Public Health, and Appropriations III Senate Committees.  She has introduced and championed many pieces of legislation in the areas of education, environment, public safety, human services, LGBT, business, and many other topics that you can read about in the Issues and Current Legislation section of this website.

An advocate for good public policy, Heather’s professional career has focused on government finance, economic development and education reform efforts.  She has:

• Managed the budgets of state agencies in Illinois and Wisconsin where she improved customer service and reduced costs.
• Developed the Chicago Public Schools’ multi-year strategic plan that produced education reforms.
• Directed urban economic development initiatives for the Civic Committee.
• Successfully launched programs to increase housing and asset development and promote job growth in Chicago.

In addition, Heather has promoted strong community forums and child development initiatives as a member of the Boards of WBEZ Public Radio and the Erickson Institute.  She also is a past chair of the Donor’s Forum.

Heather received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban Studies from Princeton University and earned a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government where she serves on the Dean’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Heather and her husband, Leo Smith moved to the Lakewood-Balmoral neighborhood 14 years ago to raise their three children, Ryan, Sam and Abby.