Carina Santa Maria
Democratic
State Senator, 27th District
AI wrote this from the sources listed below. A second AI checked each sentence against its source, and software checked the links and dates. A person didn’t review it, so every sentence links to its source for you to check. Updated Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Overview
Carina Santa Maria is an Arlington Heights Village Trustee and the CEO of Shelter, Inc., a child welfare agency.1 She is a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree from Dominican University.2 She says she serves on the Cook County Child Death Review Committee.3
Her campaign says she wants to lower living costs, including property taxes and healthcare.4 She supports expanding affordable housing, including for young people leaving the child welfare system.4 She advocates for more mental health services and community safety.4 Her campaign states she backs safe staffing levels for healthcare workers and reproductive freedom.5 She says she increased the budget at Shelter, Inc. from $1.8 million to $6.7 million.2
Campaign money
- Reporting period
- April 1 to June 30, 2026
- Raised
- $90,869
- Cash on hand
- $67,809
| Source | Amount | Share of money raised |
|---|---|---|
| Small gifts ($150 or less) | $3,562 | 4% |
| Larger gifts | $8,300 | 9% |
| PACs, parties and other campaign committees | $78,975 | 87% |
| Other receipts | $32 | Under 1% |
Large contributions reported since June 30, 2026: $287,655 in 34 gifts. See the large contribution reports.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections filings for Citizens for Carina
Endorsements
Sources
- Arlington Heights trustee launches bid for state Senate seat, Daily Herald. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Carina Santa Maria: 2025 Candidate For Arlington Heights Trustee, Patch. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Carina Santa Maria: 2025 candidate for Arlington Heights village board, Daily Herald. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Cook County 2026 Candidates & Sample Ballot | Illinois, The Ballot Brief. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by the Illinois Nurses Association — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria campaign. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by Illinois State Senator Mark Walker — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- About Carina - Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- News — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations of Illinois (AFL-CIO) — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Election 2026, SEIU Local 73. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSED CANDIDATES, Chicago Federation of Labor. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600 — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Officially Endorsed by Equality Illinois — Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate, Carina Santa Maria for Illinois State Senate. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Planned Parenthood Illinois Action board unveils 2026 general election endorsements, Windy City Times. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Endorsements and Election Information, Personal PAC. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- NASW-IL Announces Endorsements for 2026 Illinois General Election, National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Illinois AFL-CIO Announces Endorsements for 2026 General Election, Illinois AFL-CIO. Viewed Wednesday, October 7, 2026.