Alderman Howard B. Brookins

A life-long Chicago resident, Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin was born in Englewood and raised on the West Side. After becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college at Eastern Illinois University, Melissa moved back to the West Side of Chicago and began working at Allstate Insurance. While serving as a regional manager at Allstate, Melissa earned her M.B.A in Finance from Roosevelt University. After completing her M.B.A., Melissa wanted to have a greater impact in her community and worked as the executive in residence, supported by Allstate, at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. At Breakthrough, Melissa helped local residents secure affordable housing, continue their education and find employment. Prior to becoming Treasurer, Melissa served her community as a State Representative. While in Springfield, she focused on policies that would help working families in her community, including increasing funding for programs that help parents afford quality childcare. Melissa also backed measures to increase the state-wide minimum wage and bring more funding to Chicago Public Schools. As Treasurer, Melissa is using her experience in both the public and private sector to increase economic development across Chicago’s neighborhoods. She is working with financial institutions that do business with the City to make investments in every Chicago zip code. Additionally, the Treasurer is providing financial literacy and educational programs that will prepare adults and children for their future. Melissa currently lives in the Garfield Park community with her husband and daughter.