Margaret Croke has served as the State Representative for Illinois’ 12th District since 2021. Prior to being elected, Margaret served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). In that position, Margaret managed various special economic development projects and developed her knowledge of infrastructure capital, grant making, and workforce development.
Margaret also served on Governor JB Pritzker’s transition team and was the statewide Women’s Outreach Director for Pritzker’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign where she strategically networked with stakeholders, elected officials, community groups, and progressive organizations.
She first ran for office in 2019 to fight for women, small businesses, and the LGBTQ+ community. She’s passionate about jump-starting our economy and helping our state attract new industries. Margaret has a wealth of knowledge on Illinois’ unique issues; that’s why she’s a strong advocate for sensible gun control measures, ethics reform and transparency in government, and fair taxation. As the mother of three young children, she has become a leader in legislative issues impacting young families and is a champion for affordable childcare and maternal healthcare.
Margaret is a member of the House Democratic Moderate Caucus, Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, Green Caucus and Jewish Caucus. She is Chair of the House Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee, a member of the Gaming, Revenue & Finance, and Transportation: Vehicles & Safety committees.
Margaret is a proud University of Michigan graduate where she earned her B.A. in Political Science and Communications. An Oak Park native, she currently lives in Lincoln Park with her husband, Patrick, and three children PJ, Mary Pearl, and Hattie.
