BiographyDemerike 'Demi' Palecek is a Democrat running for Illinois House District 13. Born in Edwardsville, she has served in the U.S. Army National Guard since 2011, including as an Equal Opportunity advocate and on the mission protecting the U.S. Capitol after January 6, 2021. She earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2020, works as a communications consultant, and serves as president of the 46th Ward Democrats.