Kathleen Willis

Kathleen Willis (born 1962) was the Illinois state representative for the 77th district from 2013 to 2023. The 77th district includes all or parts of Addison, Bellwood, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, Stone Park, and Wood Dale.[1]

Kathleen Willis
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 77th district
In office
January 2013 (2013-January) – January 2023 (2023-January)
Preceded by"Skip" Saviano
Succeeded byNorma Hernandez
Personal details
Born1962 (age 60–61)
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Addison, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materElmhurst College (BA)
University of Illinois (MLIS)
ProfessionLibrarian

Early life and education

Kathleen Willis was born and raised in Addison, Illinois. A resident of Addison with her husband and four children, she volunteered as Vice President of the Addison Kiwanis, and an organizer for Dare to Dream, an organization that encourages and assists young Hispanic women in attending college and as a member of the Addison District 4 school board.[2] While on the school board, Willis advocated for lower property taxes, more streamlined school administration and quality education . She also earned a bachelor's in Human Service Administration from Elmhurst College and a master's degree in Library and Information Services from the University of Illinois during her school board tenure.[2]

Illinois State Representative

In late 2011, Willis announced her intention to run for state representative in the newly drawn 77th district during which she was endorsed by, among others, Senator Martin Sandoval[3] and the Illinois Sierra Club.[4] Willis defeated twenty-year incumbent Skip Saviano by over 1,000 votes.[5] Upon being sworn in, Representative Willis joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers who chose not to accept a pension.[6]

In her first term, two of her bills were signed into law by the Governor of Illinois. The first was a bill designed to improve the student placement process for special education signed into law.[7] The second was a bill that prevents minors from purchasing e-cigarettes.[8] Other legislation sponsored by Representative Willis that was signed into law includes legislation that would enhance the penalties for individuals who defraud or attempt to defraud Medicaid,[9] increase the penalty for domestic battery if the abuser is a repeat offender,[10] and create the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force to address the growing problem of heroin use in high schools in Illinois.[11]

She has also advocated for legislation to prevent gang recruitment by making the practice illegal on school buses, bus stops and public parks,[12] lower crime by prohibiting violent felons from purchasing body armor,[13] and co-sponsored a bill to protect consumers from unfair surcharges.[14]

In 2018, J.B. Pritzker appointed Willis to the gubernatorial transition's Restorative Justice and Safe Communities Committee.[15]

As of July 3, 2022, Representative Willis is a member of the following Illinois House committees:[16]

  • (Chairwoman of) Adoption & Child Welfare Committee (HACW)
  • Appropriations - Human Services Committee (HAPH)
  • (Chairwoman of) Child Care Access & Early Childhood Education Committee (HCEC)
  • Counties & Townships Committee (HCOT)
  • Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee (HELM)
  • Judiciary - Criminal Committee (HJUC)
  • Labor & Commerce Committee (HLBR)
  • Minority Impact Analysis Subcommittee (HLBR-MIAS)
  • Wage Policy & Study Subcommittee (HLBR-WAGE)

On June 28, 2022, Willis was not renominated to retain her seat in the Illinois House. She was defeated in the Democratic primary by Norma Hernandez.[17]

Electoral history
Illinois 77th State House District Democratic Primary, 2012[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis 2,351 100
Total votes 2,351 100.0
Illinois House 77th District General Election, 2012[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis 13,708 53
Republican Angelo "Skip" Saviano (incumbent) 12,357 47
Democratic gain from Republican
Illinois 77th State House District Democratic Primary, 2014[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 3,272 77.57
Democratic Antonio "Tony" Favela 946 22.43
Total votes 4,218 100.0
Illinois 77th State House District General Election, 2014[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 12,488 100
Total votes 12,488 100.0
Illinois 77th State House District General Election, 2016[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 20,806 70.37
Republican Anthony Airdo 8,762 29.63
Total votes 29,568 100.0
Illinois 77th State House District General Election, 2018[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 15,420 70.58
Republican Anthony Airdo 6,429 29.42
Total votes 21,849 100.0
Illinois 77th State House District General Election, 2020[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 21,772 67.19
Republican Anthony Airdo 10,631 32.81
Total votes 32,403 100.0
Illinois 77th State House District Democratic Primary, 2022[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Norma Hernandez 2,484 51.83
Democratic Kathleen Willis (incumbent) 2,309 48.17
Total votes 7,479 100.0

References
  1. Veeneman, Drew. "77th House District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  2. "Representative Kathleen Willis's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  3. Hanania, Ray. "Saviano Loss a Major Defeat for Gutierrez". SW News Herald Online. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  4. "Endorsed Candidates for Illinois House". Illinois Sierra Club. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  5. "General Election 11/6/2012 77th Representative". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  6. Reeder, Scott. "Should Illinois lawmakers accept pensions for part-time work?". Watchdog.org. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  7. "Bill Status of HB1446: 98th General Assembly". Illinois General Assembly. 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  8. "Bill Status of SB1756 98th General Assembly". Illinois General Assembly. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  9. "Bill Status of HB0071: 98th General Assembly". Illinois General Assembly. 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  10. "Bill Status of HB0958: 98th General Assembly". Illinois General Assembly. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  11. "Bill Status of HB0946: 98th General Assembly". Illinois General Assembly. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  12. "Bill Status of HB2898". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  13. "Bill Status of HB2897". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  14. "Bill Status of HB2328". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  15. Miller, Rich (November 30, 2018). "Foxx, Gordon-Booth, Kelly to co-chair Pritzker's Restorative Justice and Safe Communities Committee". Capitol Fax. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  16. "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees". ilga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  17. "Election Results, 2022 General Primary". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  18. "Election Results, 2012 General Primary". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  19. "Election Results, 2012 General Election". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  20. "Election Results, 2014 General Primary". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  21. "Election Results, 2014 General Election". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  22. "Election Results, 2016 General Election". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  23. "Election Results, 2018 General Election". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  24. "Election Results, 2020 General Election". elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
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