Chicago City Wire

Carrie Mendoza announced on September 12, 2025, her candidacy for lieutenant governor of Illinois alongside Ted Dabrowski.

Dr. Carrie D. Mendoza is an emergency medicine specialist with over two decades of experience, practicing in Illinois and Wisconsin. She graduated with honors from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine in 2001, and has been affiliated with institutions such as Advocate Trinity Hospital and Aurora Medical Center-Kenosha. According to her profile on Sharecare, she is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, accepts multiple insurance plans, and practices in Hazel Crest, Illinois.

In addition to her clinical work, Mendoza's practice spans multiple hospitals in both urban and suburban settings, reflecting her experience with diverse patient populations. Her profiles indicate that she treats a broad spectrum of emergency medicine cases and is recognized for her long-standing service since her graduation.

Ted Dabrowski has been a prominent voice in Illinois regarding education reform. He emphasizes that schools require proven reforms and higher expectations rather than more funding. Dabrowski has criticized past investments in education for lacking accountability and advocates for frequent teacher feedback, data-driven instruction, and high-dosage tutoring as part of his approach. He also highlights a proposed $5 billion federal tax-credit scholarship program that could significantly expand school choice, potentially benefiting many Illinois families.

According to the official campaign website for Dabrowski and Mendoza, Dr. Mendoza brings a deep commitment to policy innovation rooted in frontline medical experience and civic engagement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she testified before state legislatures, challenged regulatory failures, and worked to reform patient care models through coalition building. She is also a medical technology consultant and inventor with two patents credited to her name. Her developments include tools like a Decision Support Tool that calculates detransition risk, a telemedicine solution for nursing homes, and Emergency Department communication platforms.