Julie Berkowicz Announces Candidacy for Illinois State Senate in the 21st District
Will County Board Member Julie Berkowicz today announced her candidacy for Illinois State Senate in the 21st District, launching a campaign focused on standing up for families, fighting tax hikes and bringing fiscal sanity back to Springfield.
A mother of three, Berkowicz has lived in Naperville for more than three decades. Together she and her husband have raised a family there, so she knows firsthand the pressures that come with balancing work, family, and rising costs. Her decision to run is rooted in her personal experience and her deep concern for seniors and families who are working hard but still struggling to get ahead.
"I know how hard it is for families right now. I’ve lived it," Berkowicz said. "Groceries, gas, property taxes — it all adds up. Families are feeling the pressure, and Springfield is just making things worse with higher taxes and policies that ignore everyday realities. I'm running to fight for them, to be a voice for the moms and dads trying to make ends meet."
Since being elected to the Will County Board in 2018, Berkowicz has earned a reputation as a fiscal watchdog who stands firmly against tax increases. She has consistently voted to protect taxpayers and push back on unnecessary spending, while also advocating for public safety, mental health services, and government transparency. As Forest Preserve Commissioner, she led efforts to enhance family-friendly spaces at Riverview Farmstead and Whalon Lake while keeping spending under control.
She regularly volunteers at Forest Preserve projects and Habitat Restoration Days, working alongside constituents to give back to the community. Julie believes protecting open space is essential to both the mental and physical well-being of residents and to preserving quality of life as development continues to expand.
Berkowicz’s anti-tax stance stands in sharp contrast to her opponent, incumbent Senator Laura Ellman, who recently voted for a $1.50 per-package delivery tax — a new burden that would hit working families and businesses already struggling to keep up with rising costs. Berkowicz said this vote is yet another example of how out of touch Springfield has become.
“Families don’t need another fee just to get diapers or groceries delivered to their door,” Berkowicz said, noting that a number of other tax hikes including service taxes on everything from haircuts to auto repairs were also proposed this spring.
In addition to her public service, Berkowicz has a long history of hands-on community involvement. She has served as Vice President of the Knoch Knolls Homeowners Board and spent over 20 years mentoring youth through the Boy Scouts of America, including roles as Public Relations Community Liaison, Distinguished Commissioner, and Special Needs Scout Program Leader with the Ray Graham Association.
Her leadership extends to several nonprofit boards, including St. Raphael Catholic School, the St. Francis High School Band Organization, and Riverwalk Adult Day Services. She also brings experience in senior care and housing advocacy as a former member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee at Edward-Elmhurst Hospital. Berkowicz is an active member of the Judd Kendall VFW Auxiliary and the Naperville Rotary Club. She is also a proud member and supporter of the Naperville Woman’s Club and the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club. A passionate advocate for the arts, Julie serves as the Community Foundation Director for the nonprofit OPUS Chamber Music Association.
Julie and her husband Walter have lived in Naperville for over 30 years. Together, they raised three sons, all Eagle Scouts and college graduates, instilling in them the same commitment to service that drives her today.
"Our district deserves a strong, independent voice, someone who understands what it means to raise a family, pay the bills, and represents all their constituents. I am elected to serve every part of the community, and I take that very seriously. I am always willing to sit, talk and listen to their concerns. This is important to me." Berkowicz said. "I'm running to put working families first, stop the tax hikes, and bring common sense back to Springfield."
The 21st Senate District includes parts of Will and DuPage Counties.