A Lifetime of Service, Problem-Solving, and Fighting for People

Peter Janko believes that government works best when ordinary citizens step forward, identify problems, and work together to create solutions.

His life has been shaped by experiences that taught him the importance of community, perseverance, and standing up for people who need a voice.

Born in Germany, Peter came to the United States as a refugee at the age of four. Growing up in Chicago, he saw firsthand the opportunities America provided and developed a deep appreciation for the responsibility that comes with citizenship. From a young age, he became involved in civil rights, environmental causes, workers’ rights, and efforts to create a more equal society.

That commitment to service has continued throughout his life.

From Engineering to Community Advocacy

Peter has spent his life solving problems.

After graduating from Lane Tech College Prep and earning an Associate’s degree in Electronics from Wilbur Wright College, he worked as a marketing research analyst at Ernst & Young before joining Motorola as a telecommunications product designer. Later, he served as lead engineer for a $22 million infrastructure project for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

In 2002, Peter founded Lumenelle Lighting Design and Restoration, specializing in architectural historic preservation. Through his work, he helped preserve historic buildings and taught traditional preservation techniques at national conferences.

After retiring from full-time business, Peter could have stepped away and enjoyed retirement.

Instead, he chose a different path.

He returned to the causes he had cared about throughout his life: historic preservation, transportation, tax fairness, healthcare reform, and community advocacy. Along the way, he discovered something unexpected. While grassroots activism can educate and inspire people, meaningful change often requires engaging in the political process itself.

Rather than standing outside government hoping to be heard, Peter decided to work inside the process—building relationships, earning trust, and turning ideas into public policy.

A Personal Mission for Healthcare Reform

Peter’s commitment to healthcare reform began in 1996 when his young son became ill while the family was in Germany.

Experiencing a healthcare system where receiving care was never questioned changed the way he viewed healthcare for the rest of his life.

Peter believes no one should have to die, become sicker, or suffer financial ruin simply because they cannot afford healthcare.

For decades, he supported the goal of Medicare for All because he believes healthcare is a basic human necessity, not a privilege determined by income or insurance status.

Over time, however, he came to recognize that achieving national reform would require an extraordinary level of political agreement that has remained out of reach. Rather than abandoning the goal, he chose to pursue a practical path that could begin in Illinois.

That vision became the Illinois Care Initiative, a grassroots effort built on the belief that lasting healthcare reform should be designed by the people of Illinois, for the people of Illinois.

What Peter Believes

Peter’s public service has always been guided by a simple question:

“Does this make life better for ordinary people?”

That belief has shaped the issues he has chosen to champion.

Healthcare

Peter believes no one should have to die, become sicker, or be financially ruined because they cannot afford healthcare. A civilized society should ensure that every person has access to quality healthcare when they need it.

Food and Medicine

Peter believes no one should have to die, become sicker, or be financially ruined because they cannot afford healthcare. A civilized society should ensure that every person has access to quality healthcare when they need it.

Transportation

Peter believes transportation is about more than moving people, it is about creating opportunity.

Expanding passenger rail gives people access to jobs, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity while reducing highway congestion, lowering fossil fuel consumption, and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting the restoration of passenger rail service to Rockford reflected his belief that economic growth and environmental stewardship can work together.

Historic Preservation

Peter believes preserving historic buildings is about preserving communities.

Historic landmarks connect us with our shared past, strengthen local identity, and demonstrate that thoughtful restoration can be both economically and environmentally responsible.

Why Peter Serves

Peter has never viewed public service as a career. He views it as a responsibility.

Whether working as an engineer, restoring historic buildings, advocating for transportation, or leading the Illinois Care Initiative, his approach has remained consistent: listen, learn, build relationships, and work toward solutions. And his goal has remained the same: leave Illinois better than he found it.

He believes the biggest challenges facing Illinois cannot be solved by government alone. They require citizens willing to participate, communities willing to speak up, and leaders willing to listen.

Peter lives in Marengo, Illinois, with his family and continues his lifelong commitment to community service, public advocacy, and building a better future for Illinois.