Alyssia Benford, (State Representative, 98th District)

Growing up on the west side of Chicago, Alyssia knows that Illinois desperately needs a new direction. She knows that it’s time to bring accountability back to government. That’s why she’s running for state representative in the 98th district.

During high school, Alyssia excelled academically and even joined the marching band and Reserved Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). However, she was also forced to learn how to persevere through tough times. Alyssia’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35, and Alyssia helped care for her as she underwent cancer treatments. Through all of this, her mother never stopped pushing her to excel.

With her mother’s support, Alyssia graduated with honors from Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry and then went on to earn her designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Upon graduation, Alyssia returned home to Chicago to begin work at Deloitte, one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. Later, she joined Motorola’s internal accounting team, where she supervised the staff responsible for overseeing the payroll for Motorola’s top executives and over 30,000 employees.

Upon graduation, Alyssia returned home to Chicago to begin work at Deloitte, one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. Later, she joined Motorola’s internal accounting team, where she supervised the staff responsible for overseeing the payroll for Motorola’s top executives and over 30,000 employees.

Shortly after moving to Bolingbrook in 2000, Alyssia devoted herself to raising her family and expanding the accounting firm she co-founded in 1996, Benford Brown and Associates, LLC where she remains a founding partner today.

Through her independent accounting firm, Alyssia has devoted her career to serving the small and medium sized businesses that create prosperity in our communities. Seeing the challenges that these business face from heavy taxes and unfair regulations, she knows that we need to revitalize our economy by making it hassle-free for businesses to expand and put more people back to work.

Beyond her work as an accountant, Alyssia serves as a as the treasurer of the Rotary Club of Bolingbrook and, since 2012, as a DuPage Township Trustee. Through her work on the Township Board, she learned how crucial it is to ensure the financial security of local tax dollars that provide programs and assistance to the elderly and youth in the community.

This inspired her to enroll at Rutgers University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Governmental Accounting in 2012.

Prior to her current positions, she served as President of the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce and on the Police Pension Board, safeguarding the retirement of our dedicated public servants on the police force. In 2008, she received the Female Citizen of the Year Award from the Village of Bolingbrook. She is one the youngest people to receive this honor.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a member of the West Suburban Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Bolingbrook. She has served on the board of directors for the United Way of Will County and is a past President of Rotary Club of Bolingbrook.

Throughout her accomplished professional career and dedicated public service, she still had to overcome immense challenges in her own life.

In 2015, at the age of 45, Alyssia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She remembered the strength and positivity her mother showed during her own battle with breast cancer, and she refused to let her health challenges slow her down. She is cancer-free and now counsels others that have received a cancer diagnosis.

While undergoing eight surgeries in two years, Alyssia enrolled in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership & Policy at Florida State University. After learning about the financial mismanagement within the Chicago Public School District, she now focuses her doctoral work on educational financing and government pensions.

But most importantly, Alyssia continues to be an inspiration to her four children and three grand-children by encouraging them to persevere and pursue their dreams even in the face of hardship.

Alyssia knows that in Illinois we need to end the political gridlock and elect independent leaders who will serve the families in our communities. As your next state representative, Alyssia will hold Springfield accountable and restore your voice in government.

Visit AlyssiaBenford.com for more information.