Carina Santa Maria

Carina Santa Maria earned a high school diploma from Lake Park High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa, and a graduate degree from Dominican University. Her career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a mom, advocate, social worker, and longtime public servant who has spent my career working alongside families—not above them.

As a first‑generation American and working mother, I understand the pressures families face every day. Currently, I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Shelter Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit supporting survivors of child abuse and families in crisis. I was also elected Trustee in Arlington Heights in 2025. I helped build and develop Illinois’ first DCFS-approved home for child trafficking survivors, advocated for housing ordinances supporting youth aging out of foster care, and consulted internationally with governments in Kosovo and the UAE on child welfare systems.

I’ve built my career by listening, problem‑solving, and delivering results—not playing political games. I’m running for State Senate to bring common‑sense leadership, compassion, and accountability back to Springfield—and to make sure suburban voices are heard loud and clear.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability: This is the top issue I hear about. The costs of childcare, housing, healthcare, and other essentials, have become out of reach for many middle-class families. I am committed to collaborative, creative solutions for these issues, including:

-Capping homeowners insurance increases

-Promoting smart development that strengthens our neighborhoods

-Addressing homelessness with housing-first solutions

-Expanding Medicaid coverage and investing in community mental health

-Protecting and expanding reproductive rights

-Raising the minimum wage and always standing with organized labor

-Making childcare and early childhood education affordable for every family

-Streamlining transit systems to lower costs and improve serviceSafety: Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities. This includes physical safety, emotional safety, and general well-being. I will work to protect our rights and safety by:

-Upholding the SAFE-T Act while ensuring resources for proper training and accountability in law enforcement.

-Promoting trauma-informed policing and crisis response alternatives

-Supporting programs that steer youth toward opportunity, rather than incarceration

-Upholding and strengthening responsible gun laws

-Defending the rights of free speech, religion, the press and assembly.

-Holding all agencies, including the federal government, accountable when they violate residents’ rights.Compassion: In a world where tension and division are common, it is important to lead with compassion. This means passing policies such as:

-Investing in prevention-first programs like Healthy Families Illinois and home visiting.

-Expanding support for foster youth, families in crisis, and youth aging out of care.

-Expanding alternatives to incarceration for youth and non-violent offenses.

-Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in every level of public service.

-Building trust between immigrant families and local government to ensure victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes

-Supporting a transition to clean energy that creates union jobs

-Strengthening ethics laws to restore trust in government

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about policies that support families and youth, including supporting foster youth and human trafficking survivors, building off of my background in managing social work and social service organizations. I would hope to work on the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, Behavioral Health and Mental Health Committee, Child Welfare, and the Health and Human Services Committee. These allow me to continue my career interest in serving families and children. I am also interested in addressing ethics and human rights issues.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

State Senator Adriane Johnson

State Senator Mark Walker

State Rep Mary Beth Canty

State Rep Dan Didech

State Rep Nicolle Grasse

State Rep Lindsey LaPointe

Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton

Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison

Maine Township District 207 School Board President Sheila Yousuf Abramson

Personal PAC

Planned Parenthood Illinois Action

Citizen Action Illinois

Illinois AFL-CIO

Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600

SEIU Illinois State Council

National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter

Equality Illinois

Illinois Nurses Association

Associated Firefighters of Illinois

Ironworkers Local 63

Latino Leadership Council

Arlington Heights Firefighters Association Local 3105