People
Over Politics.
Community Raised. Policy-Trained. Ready to Deliver.
Shantel Franklin is running for State Representative to deliver housing stability, stronger schools, affordable healthcare, and economic development for families across Illinois’ 8th District.
Meet
Shantel
Shantel Franklin is a community-raised, policy-trained leader running for State Representative in Illinois’ 8th District.
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Raised on Chicago’s West Side, Shantel experienced homelessness and attended eight different schools, learning firsthand what happens when systems fail families. Those experiences shaped her commitment to housing stability, strong schools, and policies that work for real people.
Shantel turned her lived experience into a career in public policy. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Affairs, building the training needed to turn community needs into effective legislation.
For the past six years, Shantel has served in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in community outreach and as a legislative liaison. In that role, she has worked to defend workers’ rights, protect consumers, strengthen gun enforcement, expand support for victims of violent crime, and push back against harmful Trump-era policies.
In addition to her policy work, Shantel is a Realtor and community leader who understands housing not just as legislation, but as stability, opportunity, and dignity. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and remains deeply engaged in community service across the district.
Shantel is running to put people over politics and to bring lived experience and real policy expertise to Springfield. She is ready to govern on Day One and deliver results for the entire 8th District.
Shantel on the
Campaign Trail
Follow Shantel as she meets neighbors, listens to families, and builds a people-powered campaign across the district.
Join Our Team
This campaign is powered by people, not politics.
Join Shantel’s grassroots movement to bring community-centered leadership to Springfield.
Shantel’s
Priorities
Housing Stability and Strong Communities
After experiencing homelessness growing up, Shantel understands the consequences of housing instability and the urgency of getting policy right. As a Realtor and policy professional, she brings both lived experience and expertise to the fight for safe, stable, and affordable housing.
In Springfield, Shantel will work to strengthen housing protections, expand affordability, and ensure families can remain in the communities they call home.
Stronger Schools for Every Child
Attending eight different schools gave Shantel a clear view of how instability disrupts education. She is committed to policies that strengthen public schools, support students facing housing insecurity, and ensure every child has the stability and resources they need to succeed.
Strong schools are essential to strong communities.
Healthcare Access and Affordability
Shantel believes healthcare should be accessible and affordable for every family, regardless of zip code or income.
She will fight to protect access to care, strengthen community-based services, and ensure families can get the support they need without financial hardship.
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Economic Development That Reaches Everyone
Shantel supports economic development that creates opportunity for the entire district, not just a few.
She will work to defend workers’ rights, protect consumers, and promote policies that support small businesses, job growth, and long-term economic stability for families.
Opportunity should start at home.
Standing Up for Our Communities and Protecting What Matters Most
Shantel Franklin has spent her career on the front lines of protecting Illinois families. While serving in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, she helped advance and implement critical gun safety measures. She also worked to defend Illinois residents from harmful Trump-era policies that threatened consumer protections, worker rights, and public safety.
A Public Safety Approach That Combines Prevention, Protection, and Opportunity
For Shantel, public safety is deeply personal. Having experienced the loss of loved ones and neighbors to gun violence, she understands the urgency of action and the importance of solutions that work. In Springfield, Shantel will continue working to advance common-sense policies that protect lives, strengthen communities, and ensure every family in the 8th District can live in safety and stability.
Let’s Connect
Volunteer today to help move this campaign forward. Have real conversations, share Shantel Franklin’s vision, and make sure community voices are heard. If you are ready to take action and be a voice for the 8th District, we invite you to join us.
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