Carolyn Morris Zasada isready to be your Illinois State Representative!
I am a devoted public servant who currently holds the position of 1st Ward Alderwoman in DeKalb, Illinois. A proud Marine with 13 years of service, I have an enduring commitment to my family and community. Settling in Champaign, Illinois, after my military service, I established a non-profit, making significant impacts while being a dedicated stay-at-home mother.
After relocating to DeKalb, I pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics at Northern Illinois University. Following a closely contested race for DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder, in which I secured 48.23% of the vote, the community urged me to run for Alderwoman, a position I currently hold. During my tenure, I completed my Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) degree at Northwestern University in 2021. As a mother of four, I adeptly navigated the challenges of E-learning during the pandemic.
Full Background
Born in Evanston, Illinois in 1983, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, during my first week of college deeply impacted me, and I felt the call to serve my nation. Within a year, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer. During my time stationed in Iraq at Balad Air Force Base (Camp Anaconda), I served both as a Company Clerk and a bridge-builder. Notably, I received the Navy Achievement Medal for my exemplary service during a 24-hour bridge construction. Additionally, I earned a Combat Action Ribbon for my experiences during my deployment.
When I returned stateside, I undertook varied roles in the Marine Corps, from Training Manager and Rifle Range Safety Officer to a Pashto Cryptologic Linguist providing vital translations from Pashto to English and leading a team at the Virtual Signals Intelligence Operations Center.
Similarly, my commitment continued even after my active-duty tenure when I transitioned to the reserves in Peoria and took on leadership roles, ensuring the preparedness and growth of my units. For instance, drawing from my Marine training, I exhibited exceptional organizational skills and a deep understanding of both the broader goals and intricate details.
Civilian Life
Likewise, my civilian life was marked by service. For example, I founded a charity in Champaign, His Kid’s Closet, aiding thousands of families with clothing necessities. After moving to DeKalb in 2015, I was elected as the 1st Ward Alderwoman in 2019. As a result, I have been a voice for transparency and fairness in governance. Moreover, I am a proud mother to Teddy, Leo, Charles, and Alexandra, I love family life, the occasional workout at the YMCA, a game of volleyball, and I even delve into stock market research.
Carolyn Morris Zasada believes in investing in a community to help it to flourish, and she’s set to prove it!
United States Marine Corps Active Duty Service, various locations worldwide, August 2002-June 2013. Positions held:
Linguist Team Leader, Nov 2011-Jun 2013, supervised eight civilians and Marines
Equipment Manager, Jan 2011-Jan 2012, supervised four Marines and $10 million in equipment
Company Training Manager, Jan 2010-Jan 2011, oversaw training for 120 Marines
Pashto Language/Cryptology Student, Mar 2008-Jan 2010, supervised 8-12 Marines
Marine Housing Manager, Oct 2006-Mar 2008, supervised 2-4 Marines and managed occupancy of over 700
Battalion Training Manager, Oct 2005-Oct 2006, oversaw training for 800 Marines
Armory Worker, Mar 2005-Oct 2005, maintained accountability of over 1000 weapons
Company Clerk/Bridge Builder, Iraq, Feb 2004-Feb 2005, earned Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, conducted administrative duties for 140 Marines, built bridges under enemy fire
Platoon Clerk, Nov 2003-Feb 2004, conducted administrative duties for 65 Marines
Basic Combat Engineer, Apr 2003-Mar 2008, completed construction projects and demolition projects, built bridges, guided heavy equipment operators
Marine Corps Basic Training/ Marine Combat Training, Aug 2002-Apr 2003, completed training
United States Marine Corps Reserves, 2013-2015, Peoria, IL. Positions held:
Operations Manager: oversaw 140 Marines, guided Executive Officer in supervision and execution of Operations
Platoon Sergeant: Managed, organized, and controlled a platoon of 35-65 Marines
