Equality Illinois Celebrates LGBTQ+ Community Leaders: Allaina Humphreys, Rebecca Kling, and Starr De Los Santos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2025

Three Illinois LGBTQ+ advocates complete top leadership training programs as Equality Illinois accelerates efforts to prepare future public officials

CHICAGO, IL - Equality Illinois, the state's civil rights organization for LGBTQ+ people, is proud to celebrate three rising leaders, Allaina Humphreys, Rebecca Kling, and Starr De Los Santos, for their milestone achievements that strengthen Illinois' pipeline of LGBTQ+ public leaders.

Allaina Humphreys (she/her), founder of Bolingbrook Pride and disability rights advocate, and Rebecca Kling(she/her), transgender educator and advocate, graduated from the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership Training Academy (IWIL). Their accomplishments mark program firsts: Humphreys is the first full-time wheelchair user and Kling is the first out transgender woman to complete the academy, expanding representation and opening doors for future candidates across the state.

Allaina also received the Fundraising Champion award. She raised six times more than her classmates and the most in IWIL history!

"Allaina, Rebecca, and Starr embody the leadership our communities need now: values-driven, solutions-focused, and ready to serve," said Dr. Norma Seledon, Equality Illinois' Director of Leadership Development & Capacity Building. "Their achievements show what happens when we invest in talent, remove barriers, and build a real pathway from advocacy to public office."

Starr De Los Santos (she/her), coalition leader and civic advocate, completed the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute training this fall, joining a national network of next-generation public servants. De Los Santos credits community support, including Equality Illinois, for helping turn "if" into "when" regarding her future run for office.

About the Leaders

• Allaina Humphreys (she/her): Disability rights advocate; founder/chair of Bolingbrook Pride; leader on accessibility and inclusion initiatives across the region. IWIL graduate.

• Rebecca Kling (she/her): Trans educator, author, and policy/communications strategist; co-founder of Better World Collaborative; longtime organizer and youth mentor. IWIL graduate.

• Starr De Los Santos (she/her): Coalition strategist advancing gender and economic justice; secretary of the City of Chicago LGBTQ+ Advisory Council; Victory Institute alum preparing for future public service.

Building the Bench: EI's Leadership Pipeline Focus

Equality Illinois is sharpening its focus on leadership development and civic readiness, supporting Illinoisans who want to serve on school boards, city councils, and county bodies and in the General Assembly. By partnering with training programs, offering mentorship and visibility, and sharing practical tools from message guidance to voter engagement resources, Equality Illinois is helping LGBTQ+ leaders move from community advocacy to governing with equity.

"Representation is not a slogan. It's a strategy," added Dr. Seledon. "When LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people of color step into public service, policy gets smarter, more inclusive, and more effective for everyone."

Call to Action

Whether you're curious about what it takes, actively exploring a run for office or an appointment to a public board or commission, or interested in learning how to support someone on their journey, Equality Illinois can help. Connect with us to learn about training partners, mentorship opportunities, and resources designed to help you-and our community-take the next step toward leadership.

Complete our Survey (for training info & resources): tinyurl.com/EIPublicOffice.

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