Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, and Norma Hernandez of Melrose Park are competing in the Democratic primary in the 77th House District. [House Democrats and Norma Hernandez/Facebook]

Veteran Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) made headlines in 2021 when she was one of three Democratic women to publicly announce she was mounting a run for speaker against former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago). Now Willis is fighting off a challenger to her own legislative career from Triton College Trustee Norma Hernandez of Melrose Park.