Rachel Ventura is a Democratic State Senator representing Illinois' 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of Bolingbrook, Joliet, Lockport, Romeoville, and surrounding communities. Elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, she serves as a full-time legislator since 2023, born in 1981 and raised in a working-class family in Joliet, Illinois, alongside three siblings. Notable achievements include chairing the Public Health and Safety Committee on the Will County Board , where she addressed COVID-19 care, homelessness, mental health, and led adoption of the Greenest Region Compact for green energy goals; as Vice President of the Forest Preserve District of Will County; and in the Senate, chairing the Human Rights Committee, vice-chairing Public Health, and serving on committees like Local Government, Child Welfare, Financial Institutions, and Appropriations. She champions affordable housing, equitable jobs, criminal justice reform, climate resilience, college access, broadband expansion, native tree planting grants, AI protections, and plug-in solar legislation, while rejecting corporate PAC dollars.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Benedictine University ; Associate's degree in Biology from Tidewater Community College.
• Professional Background: Actuary for health insurance, naturalist, veterinary/pet nurse assistant, substitute teacher, business director.
• Political Experience: Will County Board , including chair of Public Health and Safety; Vice President, Forest Preserve District of Will County; Illinois State Senate, 43rd District , with roles in human rights, public health, and other committees; member of National Council of State Legislators and Council of State Governments.