Norma HernandezServing

Norma Hernandez

State HouseDemocrat

IL-HD-77 State House

Mexican (grandfather immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico in the 1960s via the Bracero Program)·Chair of Illinois House Latinx Caucus (2025-present)

Why This Race Matters

Hernandez is the first Latina to represent the 77th House District and now chairs the Illinois House Latinx Caucus. Her district encompasses majority-Latinx communities in the western suburbs including Melrose Park, Stone Park, and Northlake.

Won 2024 general election against Republican Anthony Airdo. HD-77 covers parts of Elmwood Park, River Grove, Melrose Park, Stone Park, Northlake, O'Hare, Bensenville, and Addison. Serves on seven committees: Adoption & Child Welfare, Approp-Health & Human Services, Approp-Pensions & Personnel, Energy & Environment, Higher Education, Museum Arts Culture & Entertainment, and Trans: Regulation Roads & Bridges.

Key dates to watch: Primary on March 17, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Norma Hernandez is the first Latina to represent Illinois' 77th House District, elected in 2022 after defeating five-term incumbent Kathleen Willis in a progressive grassroots primary backed by Congressman Chuy Garcia. Born and raised in Melrose Park to a working-class family, she began working at age 14 cleaning offices and put herself through college while working full-time at Walgreens for 12 years. She now serves as Chair of the Illinois House Latinx Caucus.

Family & Heritage

Third-generation Mexican-American from Melrose Park. Grandfather immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico in the 1960s as part of the Bracero Program. Both parents worked manufacturing jobs; father was a union member for nearly 30 years. Grew up surrounded by extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) in Melrose Park. Spent summers on grandparents' farm in Mexico. Continues to help parents sell plants and items at Swap-O-Rama flea market on weekends.

Political Career

Before Politics

Started working at age 14 cleaning offices; worked full-time at Walgreens in Melrose Park for 12 years while attending college; Foster Care Case Manager on Chicago's South Side with Youth Outreach Services; Community Development Planner and Urban Planner at UIC Great Cities Institute (research on participatory budgeting and civic infrastructure); co-produced "Participatory Budgeting in Schools: A Toolkit for Youth Democratic Action"; intern with City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development; Triton College Board of Trustees member (2021-2023, first Latina to serve in the role)

Education

Proviso East High School (Maywood); A.A. Triton College (2013); B.A. Social Work, Aurora University (2016); M.A. Urban Planning & Policy with Community Development concentration, University of Illinois at Chicago (2019)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Housing affordability and access
*Healthcare access
*Government transparency
*Education funding and accessibility
*Small business support
*Immigration advocacy
*Infrastructure investment
*Addressing migrant arrivals
*Sanctuary policies for immigrant students
*Worker and labor rights

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