A senator in West Chicago, Illinois, identified as Karina Villa, wore her heroine cap as she boldly defended her territory against ICE agents. A TikTok video with the caption “State Senator Karina Villa” showed her walking quickly down the street in heels, red pants, a white top, and glasses. With deep concern in her voice, Senator Villa urged her constituents to stay indoors amid the raid.
“Tell everyone to stay in their houses,” she yelled on the streets. Later in the video, she could be heard saying, “This is my city,” as she approached some ICE officers who were speaking among themselves, saying, “Come on,” as they reached for their car. “Take off your mask!” she screamed at them, and without hesitation, they entered their vehicle. Someone who accompanied Villa told off the agents, saying, “f***kg bitches,” as they rolled their windows up and drove off the scene.
Her actions received widespread praise online, with one commenter writing, “… also a good reminder that chasing fascists (especially in heels) requires cardio,” highlighting the fitness required to pull off such an act. Another person acknowledged her compassion, commenting, “You can hear in her voice how much she cares.”
Citing her courage and poise, another user wrote, “Oh no, that was intentional and I am here for it!! Those little d*ck b*tches think they can intimidate a woman of color in her own precinct, you bet she will stop them, in heels and well dressed!” Another Redditor added, “Heroes don’t always wear capes… sometimes it’s heels 👠 .”
According to her online bio, Villa has always devoted herself to service, even before holding an official title. After earning a Master’s degree from Aurora University, she committed her life to helping children. She demonstrated this through her work as a social worker, driving meaningful change, while also drawing inspiration from her family’s small grocery business, which had a positive impact on the community.
Her dedication to public service expanded when she became Vice President of the West Chicago District 33 Board of Education, where she worked tirelessly to increase services for students.
Villa was later elected as a senator on November 6, 2020, in Illinois, where she was born and raised, becoming the first Latina to represent her district. This achievement came two years after she was elected to the House of Representatives, where she drew from her background and leadership experience to serve effectively. As a senator, she remains deeply committed to the people. She has a strong record of championing increased access to mental health services, among other initiatives, while ensuring she stays accessible at all times.
