SPRINGFIELD – Increased wages for working families, access to affordable health care, property tax relief for suburban residents and robust investment in education are priorities for State Senator Ann Gillespie, who was sworn in today for her first term in the Illinois Senate.

“I am thrilled to join the Senate and I’m eager to get to work on behalf of residents of the northwest suburbs,” said Gillespie, a Democrat from Arlington Heights.

“There is a great deal of work to be done in Springfield to improve the state’s reputation and business climate, as well as to increase the living wage and address gun violence. I am prepared to meet these challenges head on.”

Gillespie, 59, a retired health care industry executive, sought a seat in the Senate after attending the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., in 2017 and getting involved in grassroots organizing.

She represents the 27th Senate District, which includes a portion of the northwest suburbs, including the communities of Arlington Heights, Barrington, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows.