North Cook News

In a new ad touting her candidacy for the 55th District, Marilyn Smolenski spoke out against the victimization of women.

“I am a business owner, mother of two and a wife,” Smolenski said in the video posted to YouTube. “And I’m an advocate for women’s safety.”

Smolenski said, as a domestic violence survivor, she is intent on making sure no other woman has to feel what she felt back in those dark days.

Illinois State House Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines)

“If anyone ever finds themselves in the same situation that I was in, I want them to be fully prepared,” she said.

Smolenski owns Nickel and Lace, which sells bodywear holsters for women.

Smolenski is facing incumbent Rep. Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines).

In previous interviews with the North Cook News, Smolenski said she plans to oust Moylan and longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) from their leadership positions in Springfield.

“I pledge not to vote for Madigan as Speaker if I'm elected,” she said earlier this month.

The National Federation of Independent Business recently endorsed Smolenski while giving the veteran lawmaker a failing grade.

"Small business owners need more legislators championing their cause in Springfield," Smolenski said in August. "Over the last few years, we've seen endless bills proposed that would hurt small business owners and their employees: progressive income taxes, insurance mandates, wage mandates, reporting requirements.”

Smolenski said she is outraged by the level of deception regularly shown by both Madigan and Moylan on issues such as “no budget, no pay.”

The Park Ridge Republican recently blasted her opponent for using the proposed legislation as a “bargaining chip” in ongoing re-election efforts.

Smolenski's campaign is partially funded by Liberty Principles PAC. Its chairperson and treasurer, Dan Proft, is a principal of Local Government Information Services, which owns this publication.

The 55th District includes parts of Chicago, Des Plaines, Park Ridge and Rolling Meadows.