Ashley Banks

Banks was born in Chicago and says in her Ballotpedia survey that she is 40 years old and was born and raised in Illinois. She graduated from Crete-Monee High School.[1][2] By her own account she is completing a journalism degree at Olive-Harvey College and an international marketing degree at DePaul University, and she attended Central Arizona College for teaching. She says she has worked as a tutor for DePaul University, a CTA bus driver, a truck driver and an Amazon warehouse employee.[1][2]

Banks describes herself as a freelance journalist, photographer and election judge who has been involved in politics and community work since her teenage years; Ballotpedia lists her profession as entrepreneur. She declared as a write-in independent candidate for the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2] In her Ballotpedia survey she described her campaign, "Banks for IL-02," as focused on respect, value and transparency in government.[1][2] She lost to Donna Miller, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]