Terra Costa Howard is a Democrat who formerly represented Illinois' 42nd House District, which includes all or parts of Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard, Wheaton, Flowerfield, and Villa Park. Born and raised in DuPage County, she is a legal advocate for vulnerable children, seniors, and families; small business owner; married with three daughters; PTA member; and Girl Scout leader. Elected to the Illinois House in 2018 after defeating incumbent Republican Peter Breen, she won reelection in 2020, 2022, and 2024, serving from January 2019 until resigning in 2025 to become a Resident Circuit Judge in DuPage County's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit . Notable achievements include sponsoring HB12, which extended family and medical leave eligibility to certain school and university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and prior service as president of the Glen Ellyn School District 41 Board of Education.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; J.D., DePaul University; adjunct professor at College of DuPage.
• Political Experience: Glen Ellyn School District 41 Board of Education and Glen Ellyn Plan Commission member prior to 2018; Illinois House Representative for 42nd District and previously 48th District ; appointed circuit judge by Illinois Supreme Court in 2025; worked as sole practitioner since 2003, Senior Assistant at DuPage County Public Defender’s Office, and staff attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit .