Democratic State Representative Karina Villa was elected to represent the 25th State Senate District after a tight race with Republican Jeanette Ward. Ward conceded the race last week.

Villa says it was an uphill race and that her team worked hard. She acknowledges that many in the district voted for her opponent.

“It’s definitely going to be an opportunity for me to prove myself as a trustworthy representative for everybody, and everybody’s voices, not just those who voted for me,” Villa said.

Villa thinks Illinois’ finances will be the toughest challenge moving forward, especially in how the state can help businesses closing because of the pandemic.

Villa wants to focus improving funding for education. Without the passage of the graduated income tax amendment, she says money to fund schools will have to come from elsewhere. School district that have been overfunded is one option.

“They had been held harmless before,” Villa said, “that might be an area in which we’re going to have start looking at.”

Villa thanked Ward, and her family, for running for office, standing by her principals, and running campaign that represented many people in the district. Villa says that her door is always to open, even to people who didn’t vote for her.

Villa is set to take over the district vacated by State Senator Jim Oberweis who is in a tight race for the 14th Congressional District.