If you ask families across the 27th District what’s keeping them up at night, the answer is almost always the same: affordability.

It’s not one thing — it’s everything, all at once.

Housing costs continue to rise.
Childcare feels like a second mortgage.
Healthcare bills are unpredictable.
Groceries, student loans, and property taxes stretch already thin budgets even further.

Families are working hard, planning carefully, and doing everything “right.” And yet, so many still feel like they’re falling behind.

Let me be clear: that is not a personal failure — it’s a policy failure.

Why Affordability Is the Foundation

As a mom and someone who has spent decades working with families, I see firsthand how deeply affordability affects stability and opportunity.

When families can’t get ahead, every other challenge becomes harder:

Education
Mental health
Physical health
Safety
Childcare
Retirement planning
Even the dream of building a future in the community you love

Affordability is the thread that connects all of it.

This is why my campaign is centered on policies that provide real, lasting relief — not temporary fixes, not political talking points, but solutions grounded in what families actually experience day to day.

What Real Solutions Look Like

Affordability touches nearly every issue in our district, and our plans reflect that:

Housing people can actually afford

We must build and preserve affordable and workforce housing in the northwest suburbs while supporting smart, community-centered development.

Affordable childcare & family supports

When childcare costs more than rent, parents can’t work, businesses can’t hire, and families lose options. We can change that.

Lower healthcare costs & expanded access

Predictable, affordable care shouldn’t be a luxury. Expanding Medicaid access, mental health coverage, and community-based supports helps families and reduces long-term costs.

Responsible tax reform that doesn’t burden working families

The current system asks working families to carry too much while large corporations and the ultra-wealthy benefit from loopholes.
We need progressive, responsible tax policy that keeps homeowners protected, supports small businesses, fully funds schools, and invests in mental health — without placing the weight on those who can least afford it.

Strong public schools

Education is one of the clearest pathways to stability. Fully funded schools, equitable formulas, and mental health supports help keep communities strong.

Support for workers & small businesses

Raising the minimum wage, expanding paid leave, and strengthening labor rights help families keep up with the cost of living.

Affordability is not just an economic issue — it’s a values issue.
It reflects who we choose to prioritize in our policies and in our vision for Illinois.

A Future Where Families Can Breathe Again

I’m running for State Senate because families deserve leaders who understand what it means to juggle budgets, raise kids, and plan for an uncertain future — and who have the experience to turn those concerns into real policy.

We can build an Illinois where:

Hard work is enough again
Families can plan for the future instead of just trying to keep up
Our communities remain places where the next generation can afford to stay
Opportunity is for everyone, not a select few

This is the work ahead of us — and together, we can get it done.

If affordability matters to you, I hope you’ll stay engaged, share this message, volunteer, or join the campaign in any way that feels right.

When we choose people over politics, families win.

Thank you for your support, your trust, and your belief in what we can build together.

Let’s keep going—because together, we’re stronger.

With gratitude,

Carina Santa Maria

Candidate for Illinois State Senate, District 27

Affordability Is the Issue of Our Time