Julie Anne Berkowicz, a Republican, is running for Illinois State Senate District 21 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. She faces Democrat Laura Ellman.

Berkowicz is a Will County Board member.

Asked why she is seeking the office, she said in our questionnaire: "The State of Illinois is in a crisis of affordability. … Affordability is not getting better; it is getting worse. Much worse. … I am seeking the office of State Senator in the 21st District to change what is actually happening in Springfield: The relentless increases in taxes, fees, and regulations that burden people all across this state."

Candidate information

Family: Asked about her family in our questionnaire, Berkowicz said: "My husband Walter and I are blessed with three sons. They are hard working adults (along with those they love) who are struggling to get ahead in Illinois."

According to her campaign website, her family has lived in Will County for over 30 years. Her three sons are Eagle Scouts and graduates of DePaul University, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Indiana University.

Education: Asked about her education in our questionnaire, Berkowicz said: "I am a lifelong learner, having formally studied at DePaul University."

She added: "I have graduated from the Naperville Citizens Police Academy, the Will County Citizens Police Academy, the Naperville Fireman's Citizen Academy and the Sugar Grove Citizens Fire Ops Academy."

Experience and public service

Asked about her work history, Berkowicz said in our questionnaire: "I am currently an elected official, serving on the Will County Board and a Commissioner at the Forest Preserve of Will County."

She said she has "been elected for three terms and am entering my 9th year of public service to the people living in the County of Will." She added that she serves as "a Director on the Nature Foundation of Will County, on the National Association of Counties Rural Agriculture Caucus, and the National Associations of Counties Veteran Services Commission."

Asked about previous offices, she said: "Prior to being elected to the Will County Board and Forest Preserve of Will County, I served on the Knoch Knolls Homeowners Association Board as Vice President of Architectural Reviews. I have also been appointed to various positions with a number of non-profit organizations, including Scouting America."

Her campaign website's service page also lists volunteer roles. They include member of the Naperville Rotary Club, director of community outreach at OPUS Chamber Music and member of the Patient/Family Advisory Committee at Edward-Elmhurst Hospital in Naperville.

On the issues

Asked what specific change she would push for in Springfield, Berkowicz said in our questionnaire: "Eliminate excessive taxation, eliminate automatic tax increases, trim fees, reduce tolls, improve energy policies, improve public safety by amending the Safe-T Act, and address the rise of tuberculosis, HIV, and other diseases that are spreading and placing lives at risk."

Asked about the critical differences between herself and other candidates, she said in our questionnaire: "[A]s a county official, I know that my constituents are suffering from the ever-increasing taxes, new taxes and fees from Springfield legislators. … I will represent the families and the taxpayers, remove fraud, fight corruption, reduce taxation, and bring back common sense to Illinois."

Asked what accomplishments she would cite, Berkowicz said: "I am hands-on as a Commissioner in Will County. … I have not become wealthy from lawyers, unions, or other special interests. My support has always been from the community that I serve."

Endorsements

According to her campaign website's service page and BallotReady, Berkowicz has received the following endorsements:

  • Will County Deputy Sheriff's Union (endorsed in 2018 and again in 2022)
  • Daily Herald (endorsed in 2018)
  • Illinois Right to Life

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Naper Today questionnaire if they were provided.