By: Phoenix Mintus, Summer 2021 Collaborator at Power in Place
Serving in the Illinois Senate as the District 25 representative, Karina Villa has made a significant impact in the progression of women’s rights and education legislation in the Illinois legislature. She is a leader and a great role model for young women aspiring to go into politics.
Karina Villa learned about the importance of hard work and determination in her youth. Growing up with her immigrant parents, her family owned a local grocery store in West Chicago. She earned her master’s degree in social work and worked as a school social worker for the West Chicago and Villa Park school systems prior to her work experience in the Illinois legislature.
I remember the day I met Karina Villa. It was a cold winter afternoon, and I was sitting at home working on school work when I heard my doorbell ring. When I answered the door, I saw Karina Villa standing on my front porch. She was campaigning for her position as Illinois state representative in the Illinois House of Representatives, and she wanted to share her platform with us. Considering the weather conditions outside, I could tell that she was very determined and compassionate about her work as a female politician. When she discussed her platform, she talked about the importance of advocating for students with disabilities in the K-12 school system, mentioning that they often get left behind and do not receive the help they need. I was deeply touched as I thought of my twin brother who was diagnosed with ADHD at six years old and faced many problems with attaining his accommodations. Throughout middle school and high school, my parents and the school had to hold several meetings discussing my brother’s Individualized Education Plan, and there were several times when the school stated “we can’t accommodate that.” My parents had to start bringing my brother’s psychologist to the meetings for him to get a chance at getting a teacher’s assistant to help him. It was a very difficult process, so it was inspiring to understand how much her experience working in the West Chicago and Villa Park school systems helped her understand the issues facing students with disabilities.
Beyond the K-12 education system, Karina Villa has raised awareness on the disparities of students who can and cannot receive a college education due to finances. Her platform advocates for state investment in higher education and vocational training in order to make college and trade school available to all. She sees the importance and value of higher education in the futures of the youth and has supported legislation decreasing poverty among college campuses. I hope Karina Villa can be the change needed so my peers who cannot afford college can one day receive their college education and be able to obtain their dream job.
Along with a passion for education, Karina Villa believes in providing healthcare for all Illinoisans. Throughout her time in office, she has emphasized her belief that everyone should be able to afford quality healthcare, and advocates for lower medicine costs and other healthcare initiatives to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. Karina Villa stands out from other politicians in the way she fights for women’s healthcare. Throughout her time in the Illinois Congress, Karina Villa has made tremendous progress in sponsoring and creating bills that focus on eliminating period poverty. In Illinois, thousands of women are forced to miss out on daily activities such as school and work every month because they cannot afford period products, and this can cause a host of financial and life problems for those involved. This advocacy is very important because it is not only a women’s issue, it is a familial issue for many and harms many people long-term. One thing that is often forgotten by most people as well is that not all women have periods, and not everyone who has periods is a woman. As a transgender male, women’s healthcare issues are still very much issues I face. I still have periods and I still have the possibility of becoming pregnant and carrying a child like most women have. I admire her work in focusing the issue as an “everyone” issue instead of a “women’s only” issue.
Karina Villa has demonstrated that she is a compassionate and successful leader as a representative in the Illinois legislature. Her work has helped improve women’s rights, education issues, and many more areas. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Phoenix Mintus is an incoming sophomore student at Denison University. He is majoring in Communications and Public Affairs. He is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights. He enjoys reading, writing, and learning new things everyday. On campus, he plans to volunteer and join the student newspaper.