SPRINGFIELD—State Senator Graciela Guzmán was inaugurated into the 104th General Assembly to serve the 20th Senate District Wednesday.

“I am humbled to be sworn in as the State Senator for the 20th District of Illinois,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “I am just one member of the strong, diverse community that is the Northwest side of Chicago. I am committed to elevating our collective vision of economic justice for everyday people and self-determination for the working class with my position in the statehouse.” 

Guzmán is the first Salvadoran elected in Illinois to the General Assembly. Raised by parents who fled the violence of the Salvadoran Civil War and worked to build a life where their five children could thrive, Guzmán was aware from an early age of the inequities in society, which shaped her commitment to creating institutional change.

Before becoming a state senator, Guzmán spent her career advocating for affordable, comprehensive health care, from protecting coverage from repeal to a groundbreaking program for immigrant adults to community outreach around the Affordable Care Act. Having lost her grandfather, Elias, at a young age due to an inability to pay, the issue is deeply personal to her. She plans to use her expertise to create legislation establishing healthcare as a human right.

Other legislative priorities for Guzmán include addressing the root causes of homelessness and the housing crisis, inhumane immigration policies, unfair labor practices, and more.

“Like many folks, I am a renter who actively struggles with housing affordability. This is not an abstract idea of struggle – I’ve lived it,” said Guzmán. “I plan to hit the ground running to bring forward positive, progressive change. We have more income and wealth inequality than ever before. With the input of the community and advocates, I am looking forward to supporting an economy and government that works for all, not just the few.”

To learn more about Guzmán, visit her website at www.senatorguzman.com, or listen to our podcast with Sen. Omar Aquino: ilsenatedems.co/uEr350UC4pc .