Karina Villa
Karina Villa (Democratic Party) is a member of the Illinois State Senate, representing District 25. She assumed office on January 13, 2021. Her current term ends on January 10, 2029.
Villa (Democratic Party) is running for election for Illinois Comptroller. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[source]
Biography
Karina Villa was born and lives in West Chicago, Illinois. She earned a master's degree in social work from Aurora University in 2003.[1] Villa’s career experience includes working as a school social worker in the West Chicago and Villa Park school districts.[2]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the March 17 Democratic primary as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election here
Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026: Margaret Croke (D), Stephanie Kifowit (D), Holly Kim (D), and Karina Villa (D).
Incumbent Susana Mendoza (D), who took office in 2016, is not running for re-election. The Chicago Tribune's Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorrner wrote that Mendoza's retirement "creates a statewide office opening in the already competitive 2026 election."[3]
The state comptroller's office manages finances, pension funds, and reports on the state’s fiscal condition.[4]
Croke was elected to the state House in 2020. She is campaigning to modernize the office, and says she wants to create a system "where anyone could see where in the life cycle public dollars are from when they are appropriated... to when the Comptroller’s Office pays the bill."[5] Croke says her legislative experience makes her qualified: "We all have seen bills pass, and we’ve seen bills blow up, and it’s because of your relationships... I feel really confident about my ability to... steer the ship in the right direction.”[6]
Kifowit was elected to the state House in 2012. She is campaigning on creating a dedicated labor division to "conduct proactive, pre-payment audits of all Illinois labor laws, including state OSHA standards... to catch violations before taxpayer dollars go out the door."[7] Kifowit's website says her experience as a financial advisor and in the legislature makes her qualified: "[Stephanie] has reviewed the Comptroller’s budget, working with the Comptroller's office, almost every single year as a legislator, she knows this office inside and out."[8]
Kim was elected Lake County treasurer in 2018. She is campaigning to improve transparency in the office. In her response to Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, she said she supported "enforcing prevailing wage laws, strengthening public trust, and ensuring every dollar spent is documented."[9] Kim also says her work as treasurer gave her experience, and, in her survey responses, said that she had "hands-on experience managing billions of public dollars and staff at the executive level."[9]
Villa was elected to the state Senate in 2021. She is campaigning on ensuring that the state budget helps individuals in poverty. Her website says she would "prioritize bill payments... [to ensure] healthcare, housing, mental health services and public education remain top priority."[10] Villa is also campaigning on her experience as a legislator and social worker: "A social worker who has this background, who has the understanding, who has spent all of this time in the General Assembly combing through the budget...makes the most sense."[6]
Capitol News Illinois' Ben Szalnski wrote that the next comptroller would take office "as the state faces growing financial uncertainty."[6] Each candidate is proposing different approaches to managing state finances. Croke and Kifowit both says they want to increase the state's reserves.[6] Croke also says she would consider refinancing state pension debt, while Kifowit's website focused on cutting spending that benefits corporations.[11][8] Kim is campaigning on improving the state's credit rating and proposes instituting a progressive state income tax.[6] Villa supports raising revenue to fund social programs, and supports a progressive income tax and a digital advertising tax.[6]
Holly Kim (D) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
To read more about the general election, click here.
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Villa was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations - Health and Human Services
- Behavioral and Mental Health
- Child Welfare
- Education Committee
- Environment and Conservation Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Chair
2023-2024
Villa was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee
- Behavioral and Mental Health, Vice-Chair
- Education Committee
- Behavioral and Mental Health
- Pensions Committee
2021-2022
Villa was assigned to the following committees:
- Agriculture Committee
- Behavioral and Mental Health, Vice-Chair
- Education Committee
- Pensions Committee
2019-2020
Villa was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
- Elementary & Secondary Education School Curriculum Policies Committee
- Health Care Availability & Access Committee
- Mental Health Committee
- Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Labor & Commerce Committee
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Illinois Comptroller election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller
Margaret Croke (D), Stephanie Kifowit (D), Holly Kim (D), and Karina Villa (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Margaret Croke | |
 | Stephanie Kifowit | |
 | Holly Kim  | |
 | Karina Villa | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- George Danos (D)
Republican primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller
Bryan Drew (R) is running in the Republican primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Bryan Drew | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Villa received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- Cook County, Ill., Latino Democrats
- SEIU Illinois State Council
- Better Streets Chicago Action Fund
- Our Revolution
2024
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 25
Incumbent Karina Villa defeated Heather Brown in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 25 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa (D) | 58.9 | 46,205 |
 | Heather Brown (R) | 41.1 | 32,183 | |
| Total votes: 78,388 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Incumbent Karina Villa advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa | 100.0 | 8,894 |
| Total votes: 8,894 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Heather Brown advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Heather Brown | 100.0 | 6,047 |
| Total votes: 6,047 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Villa in this election.
2022
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 25
Incumbent Karina Villa defeated Heather Brown in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 25 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa (D) | 58.7 | 31,696 |
| Heather Brown (R) | 41.3 | 22,279 | |
| Total votes: 53,975 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Incumbent Karina Villa advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa | 100.0 | 10,187 |
| Total votes: 10,187 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Heather Brown advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Heather Brown | 100.0 | 8,444 |
| Total votes: 8,444 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Illinois State Senate District 25
Karina Villa defeated Jeanette Ward in the general election for Illinois State Senate District 25 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa (D) | 51.0 | 60,238 |
 | Jeanette Ward (R) | 49.0 | 57,976 | |
| Total votes: 118,214 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Karina Villa advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa | 100.0 | 22,918 |
| Total votes: 22,918 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25
Jeanette Ward defeated Beth Goncher in the Republican primary for Illinois State Senate District 25 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeanette Ward | 59.6 | 8,040 |
 | Beth Goncher | 40.4 | 5,441 | |
| Total votes: 13,481 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 49
Karina Villa defeated Tonia Khouri in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 49 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa (D) | 53.8 | 22,133 |
 | Tonia Khouri (R) | 46.2 | 18,997 | |
| Total votes: 41,130 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 49
Karina Villa advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 49 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karina Villa | 100.0 | 7,513 |
| Total votes: 7,513 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 49
Tonia Khouri defeated Nic Zito in the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 49 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tonia Khouri | 65.6 | 5,250 |
 | Nic Zito | 34.4 | 2,759 | |
| Total votes: 8,009 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Karina Villa has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Karina Villa asking her to fill out the survey. If you are Karina Villa, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
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You can ask Karina Villa to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing info@karinavilla.com.
Campaign websites
Villa's campaign website stated the following:
Safeguard IL tax dollars from Donald Trump
Uphold our commitments on healthcare, childcare, education and more.
The Illinois Comptroller doesn’t just pay bills — she decides who gets our money and who gets paid first. I believe the most vulnerable should always come first.
As Comptroller, I will ensure that we pay our bills on time, but I will also prioritize bill payments in order to protect our most vulnerable. That means ensuring healthcare, housing, mental health services and public education remain top priority.
I will use the Comptroller’s bully pulpit to tell the truth: where federal policy is shifting costs onto Illinois, where it’s threatening services, and where it’s forcing austerity. Then I’ll fight back with the tools we control: procurement, transparency, fiscal reporting, and public accountability. The message will be clear: Illinois tax dollars will reflect Illinois values, not federal cruelty.
Project 2025 told us what Trump was going to do and that meant funding cuts for essential services such as healthcare, childcare, education and more. Donald Trump has already tried to halt federal funding for essential services here in Illinois. We need a bold leader in the Comptroller office who not only prioritizes our most vulnerable but comes to the table with real solutions that do not require working people to foot the bill.
Ensure Billionaires and Corporations pay their fair share
Fight to fix IL’s regressive tax system to fund essential services
For too long, working people in Illinois have been footing the bill for an archaic and unfair tax system. Illinois has the 8th most regressive state and local tax system in the nation. That means the people who earn the least pay a larger share of their income than the wealthiest. That’s not just bad policy; it’s upside down. Our tax system does not reflect our values, and it’s long past time for real change.
Right now, Illinois is balancing its budget on the backs of working families while billionaires and large corporations skate by paying a lower effective tax rate than teachers, nurses and service workers. Year after year, we ask working people to do more while those with the most contribute the least.
As Chair of the Senate Progressive Caucus, I’ve led the fight to bring progressive revenue streams to the table. Together, we passed four pieces of revenue legislation that delivered real tax relief for the middle class, while beginning to rebalance a system that has been rigged for decades.
At the core of this fight is a simple truth: when we cut critical services to “balance” budgets, those cuts don’t hit spreadsheets—they hit real people. Schools, healthcare, public safety, and social services are lifelines, not line items.
As Comptroller, I will go all across the state of Illinois using the microphone of the office to show Illinoisans what is possible when we put working people over the ultra-wealthy.
By taxing billionaires and corporations, we will fund the essential services currently being cut by Donald Trump and his crony friends. Together, we will use the office of the Comptroller to put people over billionaires. Because the Office of Comptroller shouldn’t just manage what is—it should help Illinois see what could be when we put working people first.
Put our money where our values are
Illinois vendors contracting with ICE will not receive a dime of YOUR tax dollars
The Comptroller oversees procurement for billions in state contracts. That’s not symbolic power, that’s leverage. Illinois will not spend public dollars in ways that betray our communities. If a contractor profits from ICE raids, they’re out. If an investment profits from mass human suffering, we scrutinize it, disclose it, and we change course.
As Comptroller, I will work with the Chief Procurement Office to review state contracts, and build a public ban list and a contractor disclosure rule: any vendor seeking Illinois dollars must disclose ICE, Department of Homeland Security, and Border Patrol contracts and subcontracting relationships.
If you’re tied to the machinery that terrorizes Illinois residents, you’re out. The message will be clear: Illinois tax dollars will reflect Illinois values, not federal cruelty.
Leverage the power of procurement to drive job growth and instate investment
Inshore billions in state procurement contracts to create tens of thousands of new jobs and expand the tax base
The Comptroller’s procurement power is an economic development lever hiding in plain sight, one I intend to use to the fullest extent. Right now, too many of our contracts leak out of Illinois, to out-of-state vendors, out-of-state payrolls, out-of-state supply chains. When we send those dollars away, we’re exporting jobs. We’re exporting tax base. We’re exporting growth.
My priority as Comptroller is simple: Buy Illinois. Build Illinois.
If we use innovative procurement strategies to inshore even a meaningful share of what we already spend, we can generate billions of dollars in in-state economic activity and support tens of thousands of jobs, because those dollars circulate here rather than vanish across state lines.
Ensure transparent, accurate and accessible reporting
IL taxpayers deserve to know where every dollar is going and why — and what we can do collectively to make our state thrive.
The Comptroller has the clearest view of our state’s finances — where money comes from, when it’s paid out, and who gets left behind. Too often, that power is used quietly: pay the bills, close the books, move on. I believe the public deserves more than that.
As Comptroller I will pay the bills in the order of those who need it first, pay bills on time while loudly reporting on how we did not fully fund service line items, and make sure the state of Illinois puts its money where its values are.
I will use the Comptroller’s office to give people real, plain-language transparency about what’s actually happening with our money: how the budget is balanced, what programs were cut to get there, and who bears the cost of those decisions.
When revenue is tight, the worst thing the government can do is make decisions behind closed doors. My transparency framework starts with one simple rule: the public gets the same visibility insiders get. I’ll publish a live, readable dashboard showing the bill backlog by category: human services, public health, schools, municipal reimbursements, and more. And I’ll publish the payment rules in advance. No guessing. No favoritism.
My values-based criteria:
Protect life and dignity first
Medicaid providers, human services, shelters, community violence intervention, and critical public health.
Protect workers
Payroll, health insurance, and earned benefits.
Protect the backbone of communities
Our schools, small businesses and local governments.
And when shortfalls appear, I won’t pretend they come out of nowhere. I will name the real problem: budgets repeatedly “balanced” by cutting services while billionaires and corporations skate by without paying their fair share.
Transparency isn’t just about posting numbers. It’s about telling the truth — clearly, publicly, and without fear — so people can see who the system is working for, and who it’s not.
Uphold Prevailing Wage laws to protect fair pay for workers
Paying people what they are owed so everyone can live with dignity
What is the Prevailing Wage Act (Public Act 100-1177)?
Executive Order 19-01 of the Comptroller provides that the Comptroller shall not accept the submission of any grant, contract or other award by the State of Illinois of any type to finance, in whole or in part, public works projects unless the grant, contract or other award includes a certification that the contractor of the public works project complies with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 120).
As Comptroller, I will continue to ensure that any contractor that wants to do business in Illinois must uphold the Prevailing Wage Act. The Prevailing Wage Act and Executive Order 19-01 established a strong safeguard for workers by ensuring that every contractor receiving state funds for public works projects certifies compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act. The Comptroller’s authority over disbursing state funds provides a critical opportunity to protect fair wages, accountability, and transparency.
As a State Senator, I have consistently supported legislation that strengthens prevailing wage protections and expands responsible contracting standards across Illinois. I have voted to ensure that infrastructure investments and public projects are built by union workers earning fair, family-supporting wages.
As Comptroller, I will continue this policy and strengthen enforcement through regular review of compliance certifications and coordination with the Illinois Department of Labor. I will appoint both a Prevailing Wage Officer and a Labor Law Compliance Liaison to ensure strong enforcement of Executive Order 19 01 and related labor standards.
I will also make compliance information accessible on the public portal so taxpayers and workers can see where their dollars are going. Contractors that ignore wage laws should not be rewarded with public funds. Upholding prevailing wage standards is about fairness, respect, and the dignity of work, and I will ensure those principles guide every dollar paid by the state.
— Karina Villa's campaign website (February 27, 2026)
Villa's campaign website stated the following:
Safeguard IL tax dollars from Donald Trump
Uphold our commitments on healthcare, childcare, education and more.
The Illinois Comptroller doesn’t just pay bills — she decides who gets our money and who gets paid first. I believe the most vulnerable should always come first.
As Comptroller, I will ensure that we pay our bills on time, but I will also prioritize bill payments in order to protect our most vulnerable. That means ensuring healthcare, housing, mental health services and public education remain top priority.
I will use the Comptroller’s bully pulpit to tell the truth: where federal policy is shifting costs onto Illinois, where it’s threatening services, and where it’s forcing austerity. Then I’ll fight back with the tools we control: procurement, transparency, fiscal reporting, and public accountability. The message will be clear: Illinois tax dollars will reflect Illinois values, not federal cruelty.
Project 2025 told us what Trump was going to do and that meant funding cuts for essential services such as healthcare, childcare, education and more. Donald Trump has already tried to halt federal funding for essential services here in Illinois. We need a bold leader in the Comptroller office who not only prioritizes our most vulnerable but comes to the table with real solutions that do not require working people to foot the bill.
Ensure Billionaires and Corporations pay their fair share
Fight to fix IL’s regressive tax system to fund essential services
For too long, working people in Illinois have been footing the bill for an archaic and unfair tax system. Illinois has the 8th most regressive state and local tax system in the nation. That means the people who earn the least pay a larger share of their income than the wealthiest. That’s not just bad policy; it’s upside down. Our tax system does not reflect our values, and it’s long past time for real change.
Right now, Illinois is balancing its budget on the backs of working families while billionaires and large corporations skate by paying a lower effective tax rate than teachers, nurses and service workers. Year after year, we ask working people to do more while those with the most contribute the least.
As Chair of the Senate Progressive Caucus, I’ve led the fight to bring progressive revenue streams to the table. Together, we passed four pieces of revenue legislation that delivered real tax relief for the middle class, while beginning to rebalance a system that has been rigged for decades.
At the core of this fight is a simple truth: when we cut critical services to “balance” budgets, those cuts don’t hit spreadsheets—they hit real people. Schools, healthcare, public safety, and social services are lifelines, not line items.
As Comptroller, I will go all across the state of Illinois using the microphone of the office to show Illinoisans what is possible when we put working people over the ultra-wealthy.
By taxing billionaires and corporations, we will fund the essential services currently being cut by Donald Trump and his crony friends. Together, we will use the office of the Comptroller to put people over billionaires. Because the Office of Comptroller shouldn’t just manage what is—it should help Illinois see what could be when we put working people first.
Put our money where our values are
Illinois vendors contracting with ICE will not receive a dime of YOUR tax dollars
The Comptroller oversees procurement for billions in state contracts. That’s not symbolic power, that’s leverage. Illinois will not spend public dollars in ways that betray our communities. If a contractor profits from ICE raids, they’re out. If an investment profits from mass human suffering, we scrutinize it, disclose it, and we change course.
As Comptroller, I will work with the Chief Procurement Office to review state contracts, and build a public ban list and a contractor disclosure rule: any vendor seeking Illinois dollars must disclose ICE, Department of Homeland Security, and Border Patrol contracts and subcontracting relationships.
If you’re tied to the machinery that terrorizes Illinois residents, you’re out. The message will be clear: Illinois tax dollars will reflect Illinois values, not federal cruelty.
Leverage the power of procurement to drive job growth and instate investment
Inshore billions in state procurement contracts to create tens of thousands of new jobs and expand the tax base
The Comptroller’s procurement power is an economic development lever hiding in plain sight, one I intend to use to the fullest extent. Right now, too many of our contracts leak out of Illinois, to out-of-state vendors, out-of-state payrolls, out-of-state supply chains. When we send those dollars away, we’re exporting jobs. We’re exporting tax base. We’re exporting growth.
My priority as Comptroller is simple: Buy Illinois. Build Illinois.
If we use innovative procurement strategies to inshore even a meaningful share of what we already spend, we can generate billions of dollars in in-state economic activity and support tens of thousands of jobs, because those dollars circulate here rather than vanish across state lines.
Ensure transparent, accurate and accessible reporting
IL taxpayers deserve to know where every dollar is going and why — and what we can do collectively to make our state thrive.
The Comptroller has the clearest view of our state’s finances — where money comes from, when it’s paid out, and who gets left behind. Too often, that power is used quietly: pay the bills, close the books, move on. I believe the public deserves more than that.
As Comptroller I will pay the bills in the order of those who need it first, pay bills on time while loudly reporting on how we did not fully fund service line items, and make sure the state of Illinois puts its money where its values are.
I will use the Comptroller’s office to give people real, plain-language transparency about what’s actually happening with our money: how the budget is balanced, what programs were cut to get there, and who bears the cost of those decisions.
When revenue is tight, the worst thing the government can do is make decisions behind closed doors. My transparency framework starts with one simple rule: the public gets the same visibility insiders get. I’ll publish a live, readable dashboard showing the bill backlog by category: human services, public health, schools, municipal reimbursements, and more. And I’ll publish the payment rules in advance. No guessing. No favoritism.
My values-based criteria:
Protect life and dignity first
Medicaid providers, human services, shelters, community violence intervention, and critical public health.
Protect workers
Payroll, health insurance, and earned benefits.
Protect the backbone of communities
Our schools, small businesses and local governments.
And when shortfalls appear, I won’t pretend they come out of nowhere. I will name the real problem: budgets repeatedly “balanced” by cutting services while billionaires and corporations skate by without paying their fair share.
Transparency isn’t just about posting numbers. It’s about telling the truth — clearly, publicly, and without fear — so people can see who the system is working for, and who it’s not.
Uphold Prevailing Wage laws to protect fair pay for workers
Paying people what they are owed so everyone can live with dignity
What is the Prevailing Wage Act (Public Act 100-1177)?
Executive Order 19-01 of the Comptroller provides that the Comptroller shall not accept the submission of any grant, contract or other award by the State of Illinois of any type to finance, in whole or in part, public works projects unless the grant, contract or other award includes a certification that the contractor of the public works project complies with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 120).
As Comptroller, I will continue to ensure that any contractor that wants to do business in Illinois must uphold the Prevailing Wage Act. The Prevailing Wage Act and Executive Order 19-01 established a strong safeguard for workers by ensuring that every contractor receiving state funds for public works projects certifies compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act. The Comptroller’s authority over disbursing state funds provides a critical opportunity to protect fair wages, accountability, and transparency.
As a State Senator, I have consistently supported legislation that strengthens prevailing wage protections and expands responsible contracting standards across Illinois. I have voted to ensure that infrastructure investments and public projects are built by union workers earning fair, family-supporting wages.
As Comptroller, I will continue this policy and strengthen enforcement through regular review of compliance certifications and coordination with the Illinois Department of Labor. I will appoint both a Prevailing Wage Officer and a Labor Law Compliance Liaison to ensure strong enforcement of Executive Order 19 01 and related labor standards.
I will also make compliance information accessible on the public portal so taxpayers and workers can see where their dollars are going. Contractors that ignore wage laws should not be rewarded with public funds. Upholding prevailing wage standards is about fairness, respect, and the dignity of work, and I will ensure those principles guide every dollar paid by the state.
— Karina Villa's campaign website (February 25, 2026)
2024
Karina Villa did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Karina Villa did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Karina Villa did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2024.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Humane Society — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to pets and wildlife.
- Illinois Realtors — Legislators are scored on votes on bills affecting real estate and private property.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2023.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Realtors — Legislators are scored on votes on bills affecting real estate and private property.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2022.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Realtors — Legislators are scored on votes on bills affecting real estate and private property.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Illinois Action — Legislators are scored on their stances on policies related to reproductive health issues.
- Technology and Manufacturing Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to manufacturing issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2021.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Humane Society — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to pets and wildlife.
- Illinois Realtors — Legislators are scored on votes on bills affecting real estate and private property.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2020.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that help or hinder Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities access more included lives in their homes and communities.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the Illinois General Assembly in 2019.
- Illinois Environmental Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that help or hinder Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities access more included lives in their homes and communities.
- Technology and Manufacturing Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on manufacturing issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Illinois Comptroller |
Officeholder Illinois State Senate District 25 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Karina Villa," accessed December 13, 2019
- ↑ Karina Villa campaign website, "Karina's Story," accessed December 13, 2019
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces she’s not running for reelection, keeps door open for Chicago mayoral run," July 16, 2026
- ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "What to know about the March 17 primary for Illinois comptroller," February 6, 2026
- ↑ Shaw Local, "2026 Election Questionnaire: Margaret Croke, Illinois Comptroller," February 7, 2026
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Capitol News Illinois, "Election ’26: 4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller," February 2, 2026
- ↑ Shaw Local, "2026 Election Questionnaire: Stephanie Kifowit, Illinois Comptroller," February 7, 2026
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Stephanie Kifowit 2026 campaign website, "Why Stephanie," accessed February 24, 2026
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 8, 2025
- ↑ Karina Villa 2026 campaign website, "Make Illinois work for Illinois families again," accessed February 24, 2026
- ↑ Margaret Croke 2026 campaign website, "Priorities," accessed February 24, 2026
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Oberweis (R) |
Illinois State Senate District 25 2021-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Illinois House of Representatives District 49 2019-2021 |
Succeeded by Maura Hirschauer (D) |
