Lake County Gazette

“A true voice” is on the roster in the form of foster Mother, Libertyville native and community activist Dawn Abernathy who is running for state representative in District 59.

A Mundelein Trustee since 2013, Abernathy, who has advocated for independent living facilities and downtown Mundelein redevelopment, has devoted much of her life to service. She is fiscally conservative, opposes property tax increases and favors term limits.

“Dawn has always been the first to stand up to volunteer,” longtime friend Cindy Otrembiak said. 

Abernathy, who has spent almost her entire life in Lake County, has previously advocated for citizens without housing and worked hard to keep local tax dollars reinvested and circulating in the community. She credits her parents with inspiring her strong work ethic and sense of civic responsibility since childhood.

A graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, Abernathy married her high school sweetheart, Mark Abernathy, a small business owner whose family’s department store has served the community for nearly six decades. Having raised five foster children, the couple has two daughters of their own.

She remains involved in many local charities and civic groups, including Santa Maria del Popolo Church, CASA, Mundelein Mainstreet, Mundelein-Vernon Hills Rotary Club and Carmel High School.