FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Media Contact

Ivonne Rodriguez, ivonne@anabelforcongress.com

CHICAGO— Today, a candidate forum in Oak Park for the Illinois 7th Congressional District, which focused on health care and health equity, took place without the voices of youth, Gen-Z, or immigrant communities. After being denied the opportunity to participate, Anabel Mendoza, a lifelong Chicagoan, immigrant rights organizer, and the youngest candidate running in IL-07,  released the following statement:

“As the youngest and only candidate in Illinois’ 7th District who brings deep expertise in the immigrant rights movement, I’m deeply disappointed to be excluded from today’s health care forum — not for myself —but for the voters who deserve a full, honest conversation about their future. It is not lost on any of us that the deliberate exclusion of this perspective from tonight’s forum comes at a time when our communities are experiencing a full-scale assault on our access to health care and on our immigrant neighbors by the Trump Administration.”

“Chicago’s South and West Sides, including Oak Park, are home to hardworking families, diverse neighborhoods, and immigrant communities whose experiences with health care access and affordability must be part of the discussion, not excluded from it. Our district deserves to hear from leaders who understand firsthand what it means to navigate systems not built for us. Voters deserve transparency, fresh ideas, and to know that democracy will be upheld at even the most basic level, including in these forums.” 

The Anabel for Congress will be hosting its own town hall on health equity, bringing together health care experts across IL-07 and community leaders, on December 19th from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

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Anabel Mendoza is a community organizer, immigrant advocate, and the youngest candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. A lifelong Chicagoan and the proud daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to fighting for working families, immigrant rights, and a government that serves people, not corporations. She’s running to bring unity, honesty, and courage to Washington. For more information, visit www.anabelforcongress.com