Record-Breaking 6 Social Work Grads to Join the 105th IL General Assembly

When the 105th General Assembly takes office in January, six of its members will be licensed social workers or hold social work degrees, the most in Illinois history. Five of the six were on Tuesday’s ballot, and all five won. The NASW-Illinois Political Action Committee (NASW-IL PAC) endorsed each of them and congratulates them and the rest of its endorsed candidates on their wins.

The six are Sen. Karina Villa (25th District) and Sen. Carina Santa Maria (27th District) in the Illinois Senate, and Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (19th District), Rep. Marti Deuter (45th District), Rep. Norma Hernandez (77th District), and Rep. Jackie Haas (79th District) in the Illinois House. Villa, whose senate term runs through 2028, was not up this year. All six are women, and the group includes members of both parties.

The PAC also congratulates the statewide candidates it endorsed: Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov.-elect Christian Mitchell, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Treasurer Michael Frerichs, and Comptroller-elect Margaret Croke.

The PAC endorsed 12 Senate candidates and 39 House candidates on this year’s ballot. As of early Wednesday, all 12 Senate candidates and at least 34 House candidates had won, with a few House races still too close to call. Democrats, who went into Election Day holding large majorities in the state Senate and House, appear on track to expand both majorities.

The NASW-Illinois Chapter looks forward to working with every member of the 105th General Assembly when session begins in January.

The full list of 2026 NASW-IL PAC endorsements can be found here.