ready to
bring dedication and strength to Springfield
Karen Battaglia is a lifelong resident, a frontline healthcare worker, and a fierce advocate for the people of Illinois. She is the proud mother to three adult sons and grandmother to five wonderful, energetic grandchildren. Karen, along with her two siblings, was raised in Fox Lake by a single, working mother. She learned early on that resilience and hard work aren’t just traits—they are necessities. Watching her mother provide for three children instilled in her a deep-seated commitment to service and the value of a community that looks out for one another.
karen’s journey
Karen’s journey in healthcare began at the age of 16 as a nursing assistant. Through discipline and determination, she climbed the ranks to Trauma Coordinator while balancing the demands of work and family. Her educational path reflects her “never stop learning” attitude. Karen attended Grant Community High School and went on to the College of Lake County to earn her LPN before getting her Associate’s degree in Nursing from Harper College. A few years later, Karen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University.
Committed to furthering her nursing education, Karen went on to earn both a Master’s of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.
As a trauma nurse and the President of the Illinois Emergency Nurses Association, Karen has seen firsthand how state policy affects both the emergency room and the family kitchen table. She knows that healthcare isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people, and she is a proven advocate for everyday families.
karen’s commitment
Karen’s commitment to public safety and community well-being spans decades. Her roots in service are deep and diverse: she served for 15 years as a volunteer firefighter and prehospital registered nurse, she regularly leads local injury prevention initiatives, such as car seat safety education and bicycle helmet fittings, and she is a dedicated fundraiser and advocate for local domestic violence shelters, bringing awareness to the realities of abuse that are often seen in our emergency departments.
Karen is running for State Senator of the 32nd District to bring frontline clinical expertise to the Illinois General Assembly. Her platform is built on the realities lived by the families she serves every day. After the tragic loss of her brother to suicide in 2022, the fight for mental health resources became a deeply personal priority. Karen will fight for expanded access and funding to ensure no family has to face these crises alone. As a healthcare professional, Karen believes medical decisions should remain a private matter between patients and their providers. Additionally, with two of her three sons being union members, Karen is a staunch defender of labor rights and the economic stability of Illinois families.
When she isn’t in the hospital or advocating for patients, Karen is a proud mother and grandmother. You can often find her outdoors, whether she’s teaching her five grandchildren to fish and swim in the summer, cheering them on at sporting events, or attempting to perfect her golf swing. During the pandemic, she taught herself acrylic painting—a testament to her belief that it’s never too late to learn something new. Whether she’s “solving world problems” over coffee with friends or spending time with her family, Karen remains grounded in the community she calls home.