About Representative Sandy Cole 

Sandy Cole was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives on November 7, 2006. She serves the 62nd District, representing all or portions of the central Lake County communities of Grayslake, Gurnee, Wildwood, Grandwood Park, Hainesville, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Wadsworth and Third Lake.

Her election to the Illinois House followed ten years of distinguished service on the Lake County Board representing the 11th District from 1996-2006. Sandy was a leader on a wide variety of issues including open space, environmental protection, and transportation. She was widely regarded as a budget hawk on the Lake County Board and helped to set policy and direction for the county’s budget. As a Forest Preserve Commissioner, she helped the Forest Preserve District acquire more than 7,000 acres of forest preserve land.

Representative Cole also served as a director on the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) from 1998-2006, and as a director for the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) of Lake County from 1994-1996.

During her service as a state legislator, Sandy Cole has championed her “Family Focus” legislative agenda, a comprehensive list of legislative priorities aimed at improving the quality of life for families and communities in Lake County and throughout Illinois. Representative Cole has been a leader in the General Assembly on women’s health issues, transportation, open space, fiscal responsibility, children’s safety, and senior issues.

Representative Cole has also sponsored a number of community events; including an Autism Forum for families affected by children with autism, a Family Internet Safety Seminar for parents and their kids, and several outreach events for local senior citizens.

Rep. Cole's committee assignments for the 95th General Assembly include the Adoption Reform, Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education, Bio-Technology, Environment & Energy, Human Services, and Renewable Energy committees.

Sandy has also been committed throughout her life to civic involvement and volunteerism. Her civic activities have included service as a Volunteer Youth Leader for 4-H, an Assistant Coach for Township T-Ball & Softball, a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, a Grayslake Greenery Garden Club member, a Voter Registrar, Republican Precinct Committeeman, a member of the Board of Directors for the Rockford College Alumni Association, a member of the Grayslake/Round Lake Area Exchange Club, the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Avon Township Youth Advisory Council.

Sandy Cole earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Rockford College in 1976. She majored in graphic arts, minored in Mathematics, and received a secondary education teaching certificate. She has lived in Lake County for 25 years and has been married to Stephen Cole for 23 years. They have three children; two daughters and one son.