Karina Villa: 2022 candidate for Illinois Senate District 25
Bio
Party: Democrat
Office sought: Illinois Senate District 25
City: West Chicago
Age: 44
Occupation: State Senator District 25
Previous offices held: State Representative District 49 (2018)
Q&A
Q: What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? What is your position on term limits in general and for legislative leaders specifically?
A: I support leadership term limits for those serving in Springfield. No one individual should be in power forever and these limits will lead to fresh thinking and new approaches in leadership.
Q: Federal assistance has enabled the state to make important advances toward improving its budget. What will you do to ensure these advances continue when the federal aid is gone?
A: The state of Illinois has been making positive fiscal progress the last few years. Illinois has passed several balanced budgets in a row, is paying our bills on time, and eliminated our $16 billion bill backlog all while making increased payments towards education, health care, and our pension system. This work is a departure from the previous Governor's administration and has not gone unnoticed with the bond rating agencies rewarding Illinois with six credit upgrades. During the COVID pandemic, Federal Resources were essential to help mitigate pandemic-related issues. The state of Illinois has emerged from this time with unprecedented revenue growth which has allowed us to contribute to property tax relief, make increased payments to our pension system, and contribute to our rainy day fund which was depleted under the Rauner budget impasse. Our work is not done and we have more work to do to ensure Illinois stays on the right track.
Q: To what extent are you happy or unhappy with the evidence-based model for education funding now in place in Illinois? How would you define "adequate" state funding for Illinois schools and what will you do to promote that?
A: Since the passage and implementation of the education based funding formula, we now have underserved areas gaining resources that they otherwise would never have received. The State of Illinois has historically not done enough to ensure our schools have the resources they need and this has created a greater reliance on property taxes to fill the gap. The evidence based funding formula has allowed us to address these inequities and ensure we are leveling the playing field. The recent budget is continuing us on the right path towards more equitable funding with a $350 million increase towards the formula, increased support for early education, and the MAP grant program for those who wish to attend college. I define adequate funding as an Illinois where all school buildings are safe, welcoming spaces that students and families can learn, grow, and interact with their community, and classroom educators have the resources available to help students to achieve their greatest potential.
Q: Do you believe elections in Illinois are free and fair? What changes, if any, are needed regarding election security and voter access?
A: I do believe Illinois elections are free, fair and that we have taken steps to improve accessibility. I am proud of our efforts to expand access to the ballot including establishing a permanent vote by mail option, continuing to allow drop boxes, curbside voting, increased support for security measures to protect our systems, and measures like SB829 which mandated improved access for those with print disabilities. Our end goal must always be to improve accessibility and ease to cast a ballot and I will continue to work with my colleagues to build upon these efforts so that everyone has the opportunity in Illinois to make their voice heard.
Q: How well has Illinois responded to Supreme Court indications that it considers abortion, gay marriage and other social issues to be state, not federal, responsibilities? What if anything needs to be done in these areas and what would you do to make your vision come to pass?
A. I believe the Supreme Court was wrong in its decision to overturn Roe V Wade. I was proud to support the Reproductive Health Act in preparation for the Dobbs ruling, however we have not acted to protect marriage equality and address other social issues that may be at risk. Since we now have a majority conservative Supreme Court, these rulings are likely to continue, and we have to keep fighting to make Illinois the safest place for everyone to live and prosper, whether a person needs an abortion, is undocumented, or is LGBTQ. The General Assembly hasn't done it yet, but we have to keep working to pass legislation to provide these protections. We also need to elect candidates with the same values up and down the ballot, in every space of our community, whether it be the library board choosing books that reflect the diversity of their community or school boards abiding by laws passed by the General Assembly.