* Background is here if you need it. Press release…

State Rep. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) was appointed to the 11th District State Senate seat on Tuesday evening by the Democratic Legislative Committee of the 11th Legislative District, after Sen. Martin Sandoval vacated the position.

“It is long past time for ethical, principled, progressive leadership to fight for the working families of the 11th District,” said Sen. Villanueva. “I hit the ground running and kept sprinting throughout my tenure as state representative standing up for the families of the Southwest Side–I’m proud of the progressive legislation I’ve added to my legacy so far, and I’m ready to step up and lead the way forward to a brighter future for our most vulnerable communities.”

Sen. Villanueva is the only candidate who filed petitions with the State Board of Elections in order to appear on the March 17 primary ballot to fill the 11th District seat.

The sudden resignation of Sen. Sandoval, embroiled in a federal investigation into corruption allegations, triggered the special succession process that will lead to a March 17 special election to fulfill the remaining two years of Sen. Sandoval’s term.

Villanueva was sworn into the House of Representatives in July 2018. In her tenure as State Representative, she has championed cannabis legalization, the Reproductive Health Act, legislation to protect immigrant rights, and the bill that creates a pathway to a fair income tax, which would require the very wealthy to pay their fair share in taxes.

The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Villanueva is an alumna of the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and Kenwood Academy High School on Chicago’s South Side. Prior to becoming State Representative, Villanueva served as Civic and Youth Engagement Manager at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

In the House, Villanueva served on the Labor & Commerce Committee and the Elections & Campaign Finance; Public Utilities; and Appropriations-Human Services and Higher Education committees.

The 11th Senate District includes Brighton Park, Clearing, Gage Park, Garfield Ridge, Little Village, West Lawn, and municipalities of Bedford Park, Burbank, Cicero, Forest View, Lyons, McCook, Stickney, Summit and Riverside.