Networking Lunch – Option 1

Facilitator: Regan Deering, State Representative, Illinois House of Representatives

Location:
Stratton Bldg., 6th Floor, Room 602, Office of the Architect of the Capitol Conference Room

Elected to the House of Representatives in November 2024, State Representative Regan Deering had her first introduction to the General Assembly when she attended the Women-to-Watch program as a guest of her predecessor.

Regan currently serves on the following House Committees: Adoption & Child Welfare, General Service Appropriations, Counties & Townships, Economic Opportunity & Equity, Energy & Environment, and Transportation: Vehicles & Safety.

Before serving as a state legislator, Regan worked as an educator, teaching science to elementary school students in Chicago. Delving further into her passion for education, she became a small business owner, operating a tutoring and test prep location of the educational franchise Huntington Learning Center, in her hometown of Decatur.

Having a passion for education and being a community advocate, she is serving on the Mt. Zion Community Unit School District’s school board and has volunteered as the Chair of the Decatur Public Schools Foundation.

Networking Lunch – Option 2

Facilitators:  
Lori Poppe Hiltabrand, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Sanalitro, State Representative, Illinois House of Representatives

Location:
Stratton Bldg., Room 349C, Capitol Development Board Room

Lori Poppe Hiltabrand serves as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for the Chamber. Lori comes from 25 years in private practice litigating insurance defense, employment law, casualty and workers compensation matters. 

Lori began her career with Heyl, Royster in Springfield.  She opened a Springfield office for Chicago-based Hennessy & Roach. For the past 18 years, Lori has been with Koepke & Hiltabrand, PC. In addition to her duties as COO for the Chamber, Lori uses her litigation background to develop Legal Reform division within the Chamber. 

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro has served the 48th District as a legislator since January of 2023. She is strong advocate for a healthy, safe, and prosperous Illinois by supporting policies that close the education gap, keep tax rates low, communities safe, and businesses prospering. Jennifer currently serves on the House Committees on Health Care Availability & Access, Housing,Labor & Commerce, Prescription Drug Affordability, Revenue & Finance, and Transportation Regulation, Roads & Bridges

Prior to being elected, Jennifer worked as District Sales Training Manager and currently is in an Executive Sales position for a packaging company. Her experience working directly with both large and small businesses gives her unique experience that the State of Illinois needs to grow the economy.

Jennifer volunteers for Brittany’s Trees, a non-for-profit benefiting the SADS Foundation, an organization focused on saving the lives of children with hereditary heart rhythm disorders.

Lunch Session – Option 3

Facilitator: Nicole La Ha, State Representative
Illinois House of Representatives

Location:
Capitol Complex Visitors Center

State Representative Nicole La Ha serves Illinois’ 82nd District, which includes portions of DuPage, Cook and Will counties. She is committed to addressing the diverse needs of her community and has devoted her career to public service, fiscal responsibility, and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. She currently serves on several Illinois House Committees, including Health & Human Services, Tourism, Childcare Access & Early Childhood, Cities & Villages, Insurance, and the Police & Fire Committee.

As the mother of a child who lives with disability, Nicole’s personal journey has fueled her commitment to inspire a more inclusive world. Her advocacy includes leadership roles in organizations promoting inclusive shopping carts and education programs for individuals with disabilities. 

In 2022, she was honored to win the title of Mrs. America, making her the second in Illinois history in the organization’s 46-year history. During her year of service, she toured the United States representing the organization, as well as advocating for community accessibility and inclusive parks for children who live with disabilities.  These efforts led to testifying on Capitol Hill with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation to fight for federal funding on behalf of those who live with Cerebral Palsy. Her ongoing commitment in advocating for families, parental empowerment, and fiscal responsibility reflects her genuine care and dedication to positive change for the 82nd District and beyond.