Cristina Pacione-Zayas was sworn in as state Senator for the 20th Illinois Senate District last Monday, succeeding former Senator Iris Martinez. Pacione-Zayas pledged to continue fighting for teachers, students and families, and to inform and advance community priorities in the General Assembly’s upper chamber. “I am honored to serve the people of the 20th Illinois Senate District,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I am a child of community organizers who modeled social responsibility and instilled in me a sense of shared humanity. That foundation along with the wins and lessons learned from working closely with children, young people, families, educators and community leaders will continue to guide my work.” A longtime education advocate, Pacione-Zayas was born and raised in Logan Square and has a track record for effectively collaborating and supporting policy leading to positive outcomes for children, families and communities. Her previous service spans Chicago Public Schools, community-based and advocacy organizations, the Illinois State Board of Education, along with serving on transition teams for Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot.