Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self

Lillian’s work across child-serving systems gives her a deep appreciation and understanding for all human services. Her professional background includes serving as the clinical director of the Tri-Cty Mental Health Center in Missouri, regional coordinator for the Illinois State Board of Education, education advisor for the Department of Children and Family Services, and director and founder of the Comunidad Unida Project, a center for Latino families and youth.

She has represented the 21st Legislative District since 2013, and is a member of the leadership team, serving as Majority Caucus chair. She also serves on the Children, Youth & Families Committee, as well as on the Education; Labor and Workplace Standards; and Rules Committees. She is the co-chair of the state’s Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee and was recently appointed to the Joint Task Force on Community and Technical College Counselors.

Nationally, Lillian serves on the National Council of State Legislators’ Education Committee, as well as the Opportunity Gap Committee. She is also on the Executive Committee of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.

Lillian, who holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Counseling from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, currently works in the Everett Public School District as a mental health and school counselor.