On January 7, 2020, Illinois State Representative Celina Villanueva (D) was appointed by the Cook County Democratic Committee to fill the vacant District 11 state Senate seat. Villanueva assumed office on January 7, 2020, and her current term will end on November 3, 2020.

Villanueva’s appointment came after former state Senator Martin Sandoval (D) resigned on January 1, 2020. Sandoval resigned after federal agents searched his home and one of his legislative offices in search for information related to Sandoval’s relationship with lobbyists, construction company leaders, transportation company executives, and a red-light camera company.

This is Villanueva’s second legislative appointment in the last two years. In July 2018, Villanueva was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives to replace former State Representative Silvana Tabares (D). Tabares resigned to accept an appointment to become the Alderman from Chicago’s 23rd Ward.

Villanueva is a candidate for the District 11 state Senate seat, which is up for regular election in 2020. The primaries will be held on March 17 and the general election is on November 3.

Villanueva previously worked for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and as a community activist in Chicago.

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Additional Reading:
Illinois State Senate
Illinois State Senate District 11
Martin Sandoval