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The System That's Supposed to Catch Them
Youth trafficking and abuse don’t happen because no one cares or no one is paying attention. Too often, they happen in the gaps of systems that are stretched too thin exactly where kids need them to hold the tightest.
Officially Endorsed by Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia
Jim Tinaglia, Mayor of Arlington Heights Trustee — officially endorses Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate
Housing or Healthcare: The Choice Nobody Should Have to Make
Housing or healthcare. Food or the support that holds a family together. These are the choices people in this district are making right now, and the tax structure behind them is a decision Springfield made.
Ok, So - Who is Carina Santa Maria, Really?
She did her own FAFSA at seventeen because nobody in her family had ever filled one out. She made $10 an hour with a bachelor's degree doing the hardest work she's ever done. Here's the whole story - and why it's the reason she's running.
The Work Isn't Finished
Women's Equality Day isn't just about celebrating the 19th Amendment - it's about remembering why the right to vote matters in the first place. Progress doesn't happen because history moves forward on its own. It happens because people decide to keep moving it forward.
Civility Isn’t About Being Nice. It’s About Staying.
I became a social worker because I believed systems could serve people better. Compassion is how we actually get things done.
Compassion Isn't Soft — It's Policy
I became a social worker because I believed systems could serve people better. Compassion is how we actually get things done.
What Freedom Actually Means — A Reflection on America at 250
BEAT THE HEAT! These Nearby Cooling Centers Are Available to the Public
With dangerously warm temperatures across our district, these warming centers are open nearby.
Officially Endorsed by The Committee to Protect Health Care
The Committee to Protect Health Care officially endorses Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate
What the Blue Pinwheel Means to Me — and Why We Can't Stop at Awareness
What this Primary Win Means for District 27
This win matters because it was never about one person. It was about every conversation, every volunteer shift, every donation, and every neighbor who chose to believe in what we could build together. It is proof that our community is ready for leadership grounded in compassion, accountability, and real connection.
Your Voice Matters This Week — Why the Primary Election Is Important
Illinois’ Primary Election is this week, and it’s an important opportunity for voters to help shape the future of our communities. Here’s why primaries matter — and a quick look at what’s been happening around the 27th District.
What Social Work Taught Me About Leadership
Before I ever ran for office, I was a social worker. During National Social Work Month, I’m reflecting on how that experience continues to shape how I lead, how I approach policy, and why this work matters.
Recognized as a 2026 Gun Sense Candidate by Moms Demand Action
Carina’s campaign has been awarded the 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction.
Officially Endorsed by Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2
Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2 officially endorses Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate
Officially Endorsed by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150
Endorsed by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 officially endorses Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate
When Women Lead, Everything Changes
Women’s History Month isn’t just about honoring the past — it’s about deciding what kind of future we’re building. When women lead, policies shift, priorities expand, and communities are strengthened from the inside out.
Officially Endorsed by Tom Schwingbeck — Village of Arlington Heights Trustee
Tom Schwingbeck, Village of Arlington Heights Trustee — officially endorses Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate
Building the Next Chapter — Right Here in Illinois
The next chapter for the Bears should be written in Arlington Heights — built on partnership, union jobs, taxpayer protection, and shared success for Illinois families.