Lake County (IL) Coroner serving since 2020. A lifelong Lake County resident, Coroner Jennifer Banek has spent her career bridging health care and public service. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), she provided anesthesia care across Illinois and Wisconsin while also serving as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. Before seeking elected office, Banek served as a trustee of the Cook Memorial Public Library District Board beginning in 2018. Elected Lake County coroner in 2020, she has since led efforts to address the opioid crisis and improve public health and safety throughout her community. She also serves on the Illinois Domestic Violence Review Board and the Lake County Opioid Response Work Group, bringing her clinical expertise and military experience to some of the county’s most complex challenges. Her leadership extends well beyond Lake County. Banek serves as President-Elect of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and is a past president of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, which previously honored her as its Advocate of the Year. Her career illustrates the many ways nurses can transform their expertise into meaningful public service—both in elected office and within their profession.