Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim is running for Illinois Comptroller in a race that includes multiple LGBTQ+ touchpoints tied to her campaign, from past advocacy around marriage equality to her experience as the mother of a transgender child.

Kim is seeking the statewide financial office in a crowded field that also includes Margaret Croke, Karina Villa, Stephanie Kifowit and Bryan Drew. Kim has positioned her candidacy around government management experience, modernization of the state payment systems and the role of financial policy in supporting social services.

Kim said her background—including time spent relying on public assistance programs as a young parent and later managing billions in public funds—informs how she’d approach the office’s responsibility to keep the state financially stable while ensuring residents receive essential services.

“I’m the county treasurer in charge of billions of dollars of public funds,” Kim said. “For me, it’s about protecting people, their families and their money.”

Managing money and maintaining stability

The comptroller’s primary function is ensuring Illinois pays its bills on time, maintains its credit standing and provides consistent cash flow to agencies, health care providers and social service organizations.

Kim’s professional experience includes managing staff, overseeing large public accounts and implementing operational changes such as digitizing workflows, improving investment returns and expanding access to services.

“In times of hardship is 100% when people need government and social services the most,” Kim said.

Kim’s platform includes modernizing payment systems, strengthening cybersecurity protections, expanding enforcement of prevailing wage rules and prioritizing privacy safeguards for financial and personal data held by the office.

Kim also emphasized accelerating reimbursements to social service providers during periods of federal funding uncertainty, arguing that faster payments can help organizations maintain operations while funding levels shift.

LGBTQ+ advocacy and allyship

Kim’s campaign highlights a history of LGBTQ+ advocacy that predates the current race.

While serving as a village trustee, she followed the Illinois marriage equality debate and supported Republican State Rep. Ed Sullivan, Jr. after he cast one of the votes that helped pass the legislation.

Kim pulled a Republican primary ballot to support Sullivan’s reelection bid amid backlash he faced locally—a decision she’s been criticized for in the Illinois comptroller’s race, but one she said she’d make again.

“I know what I stand for, and that’s marriage equality,” Kim said.

Kim said the moment reinforced her belief that elected officials should take difficult votes when necessary and that allies should show public support.

Kim also argued LGBTQ+ issues intersect with the comptroller’s office through health care reimbursements, housing stability and funding for nonprofit service providers.

She added that political leaders should be more vocal in defending transgender rights, particularly as policy debates intensify nationally.

Kim said her perspective on issues affecting transgender people has also been influenced by her parenting.

Kim’s son, Cal Ning, 22, described her support after coming out as immediate, including supporting their access to gender-affirming care and attending community events together.

“She was very supportive,” Ning said. “When I wanted any gender-affirming care, she was the first to be like ‘yes—go for it.’”

The two have attended Transgender Day of Visibility events across Lake County, Pride celebrations and LGBTQ+ gatherings such as the recent Equality Illinois Gala.

Ning said that support helped create a sense of safety.

“Having unconditional support and love from my mom is super important,” Ning said.

Kim said showing up publicly is also part of her approach to leadership.

“I am proud of my child,” Kim said. “And I will stand in the front to not only protect them, but to protect all.”