| State Representative Nicole La Ha serves Illinois' 82nd District, which includes portions of DuPage, Cook and Will counties. She is committed to addressing the diverse needs of her community and has devoted her career to public service, fiscal responsibility, and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. She currently serves on several Illinois House Committees, including Health & Human Services, Tourism, Childcare Access & Early Childhood, Cities & Villages, Insurance, and the Police & Fire Committee.
As the mother of a child who lives with disability, Nicole's personal journey has fueled her commitment to inspire a more inclusive world. Her advocacy includes leadership roles in organizations promoting inclusive shopping carts and education programs for individuals with disabilities.
Nicole was elected to the Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees in 2021. While a member of the Village of Homer Glen's Board, she was a founding committee member and the first chairperson of Homer Glen's very first recommending body dedicated to advocating for the disabled community called the Ability Awareness Committee, whose purpose is to promote awareness and enhance the quality of life for all persons with different abilities in the community.
In 2022, she was honored to win the title of Mrs. America, making her the second in Illinois history in the organization's 46-year history. During her year of service, she toured the United States representing the organization, as well as advocating for community accessibility and inclusive parks for children who live with disabilities. These efforts led to testifying on Capitol Hill with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation to fight for federal funding on behalf of those who live with Cerebral Palsy. Her ongoing commitment in advocating for families, parental empowerment, and fiscal responsibility reflects her genuine care and dedication to positive change for the 82nd District and beyond.
She served as the Illinois Senate Press Secretary for the 102nd General Assembly under Leader Dan McConchie and remained on Senate staff until December of 2023. Nicole was also named to the prestigious 2024 Edgar Fellows class and was recognized by the National Foundation for Women Legislators with the "2024 Elected Women of Excellence Award" reflecting her leadership and impact within her community.
Nicole graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History, focusing on Museum Curation and Fine Arts. Later, she pursued a degree in Science and Health with a Dental Hygiene accreditation from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry and Kennedy-King College, maintaining her active healthcare provider license in Illinois.
Nicole resides in Homer Glen with her husband, Dr. Christopher Zwiercan, and their two children, Cristiano and Ashlynn. |