SMART LOCAL 265
2026 Legislative Endorsements
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we approach the upcoming election, SMART Local 265 is sharing its endorsements for the Illinois General Assembly. I want to explain what these endorsements mean and, just as importantly, what they do not mean.
Our membership includes people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and political views. We recognize and respect those differences. We do not expect every member to agree with every endorsement or share the same political opinions.
Our endorsements are not about political parties or personalities. They are about the interests of SMART Local 265 and the men and women we represent.
As a labor organization, we evaluate candidates based on issues directly affecting our members and industry: prevailing wage, collective bargaining, registered apprenticeships, jurisdiction and work opportunities, responsible development, healthcare, and retirement security.
Decisions made in Springfield affect our livelihoods, contractors, benefit funds, and the future of our union. Maintaining relationships with elected officials and having a voice in the legislative process are important parts of representing our membership.
An endorsement does not mean we agree with a candidate on every issue. It reflects the union's assessment of matters affecting our members.
An endorsement by Local 265 is not an instruction on how any member should vote. Your vote is your own, and we respect that. Our responsibility is to explain the organization's positions and decisions.
Regardless of our individual political beliefs, we share an interest in protecting wages, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for the next generation of sheet metal workers. Our strength comes from standing together on the issues affecting our livelihoods, even when we disagree elsewhere.
In solidarity,
Matt Gugala
President / Business Manager
SMART Local 265
Endorsed Candidates by County
Candidates may appear in more than one county because legislative districts cross county boundaries. Not every candidate listed for your county will appear on your ballot.
Cook County
Illinois Senate
Cristina Castro — 22
Suzy Glowiak Hilton — 23
Don Harmon — 39
Michael Hastings — 19
Patrick Joyce — 40
Seth Lewis — 24
Kimberly Lightford — 4
Laura Murphy — 28
Elgie Sims Jr. — 17
Illinois House
Anthony DeLuca — 80
Marti Deuter — 45
Maura Hirschauer — 49
Thaddeus Jones — 29
Debbie Meyers-Martin — 38
Anna Moeller — 43
Michelle Mussman — 56
Norma Hernandez — 77
Justin Slaughter — 27
Cleopatra Cowley — 34
Emanuel Chris Welch — 7
DuPage County
Illinois Senate
Laura Ellman — 21
Suzy Glowiak Hilton — 23
Don Harmon — 39
Seth Lewis — 24
Kimberly Lightford — 4
Laura Murphy — 28
Jared Ploger — 42
Illinois House
Dagmara Avelar — 85
Barbara Hernandez — 50
Diane Blair-Sherlock — 46
Margaret DeLaRosa — 42
Marti Deuter — 45
Maura Hirschauer — 49
Saba Haider — 84
Michelle Mussman — 56
Norma Hernandez — 77
Anne Stava — 81
Emanuel Chris Welch — 7
Janet Yang Rohr — 41
Will County
Illinois Senate
Laura Ellman — 21
Michael Hastings — 19
Patrick Joyce — 40
Meg Loughran Cappel — 49
Jared Ploger — 42
Elgie Sims Jr. — 17
Illinois House
Dagmara Avelar — 85
Jessica Dixon Heitman — 97
Anthony DeLuca — 80
Thaddeus Jones — 29
Saba Haider — 84
Natalie Manley — 98
Debbie Meyers-Martin — 38
Justin Slaughter — 27
Cleopatra Cowley — 34
Larry Walsh Jr. — 86
Janet Yang Rohr — 41
Kane County
Illinois Senate
Cristina Castro — 22
Jared Ploger — 42
Illinois House
Barbara Hernandez — 50
Matt Hanson — 83
Maura Hirschauer — 49
Saba Haider — 84
Anna Moeller — 43
Suzanne Ness — 66
Kendall County
Illinois Senate
Meg Loughran Cappel — 49
Jared Ploger — 42
Illinois House
Jessica Dixon Heitman — 97
Matt Hanson — 83
Saba Haider — 84
McHenry County
Illinois House
Suzanne Ness — 66
Kankakee County
Illinois Senate
Patrick Joyce — 40
Elgie Sims Jr. — 17
Illinois House
Thaddeus Jones — 29
Cleopatra Cowley — 34
Grundy County
Illinois Senate
Patrick Joyce — 40