Yumeka Brown Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District (Chicago, IL) – Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner (MWRD) and Matteson Village Clerk Yumeka Brown is officially running for the United States Congress to represent Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Yumeka is President of the Rich Township Democrats.
A proud, lifelong resident of the district, from growing up in Roseland to raising her family in the Southland, Brown has launched a campaign built on listening to the community, protecting working families, and delivering real results.
“I’ve lived this story. I know exactly what it feels like to grow up in communities overlooked and undervalued. I know the exhaustion of being a working mom forced to navigate broken systems—from underfunded schools and streets burdened by violence to healthcare that’s out of reach and opportunities that never arrive. And I know the desperation of fighting for my child’s health. This battle ignited my fight for environmental justice and inspired me to serve as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District,” said Brown. “This campaign isn’t about politics—it’s about purpose, because your fight is my fight.”
Brown’s campaign is focused on everyday issues that impact working families: affordable healthcare, safe communities, strong schools, and bold environmental action. We must protect Medicaid and Social Security, defend women’s rights, and guard against any attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Our community cannot afford to lose ground on these vital issues. ”As a mother whose child has battled chronic illness, Brown knows firsthand how polluted air, poor infrastructure, and underfunded healthcare can devastate a family.
“This district deserves someone who won’t just talk about change, but who will fight for it every single day. I’m ready to take that fight to Washington.”
She launched an extensive listening tour across the 2nd District during the exploratory phase and will continue it throughout the campaign, engaging voters in every corner of the district. Brown has been meeting with residents to hear their concerns and ideas firsthand. “I am primed, energized, and fully prepared for this journey,” Brown added. “I look forward to positive and even difficult conversations with my neighbors about our district’s and nation’s future. By listening to one another and working together, we can tackle our challenges head-on and move our community forward.
Yumeka Brown was elected to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners on November 8, 2022, where she has championed clean water access, flood prevention, and environmental equity. She has also served as Village Clerk of Matteson since 2017 and was re-elected to a third term in April 2025.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a 2020 Illinois Women in Leadership Training Academy graduate. Brown has over 25 years of experience as a nonprofit Certified Association Executive (CAE) and currently serves as Senior Director of Governance and Operations at the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. In 2024, she was named a Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence and owns a small business.
Brown is running to give voice to the families and communities of the 2nd District that too often go unheard. “I’m not just running to represent you—I am you.”
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Yumeka Brown Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 2nd District
