Terra Costa Howard

Terra Costa Howard is a former Democrat Illinois State Representative for the 42nd district. She was first elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2018. She represented the 42nd district from 2023 to 2025, when she resigned to assume a judgeship. The 42nd district includes all or parts of Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard, Wheaton, Flowerfield and Villa Park.

Electoral career Prior to her election to the Illinois House of Representatives, Costa Howard was a member of the Glen Ellyn School District 41 Board of Education and the Glen Ellyn Plan Commission.

Costa Howard defeated incumbent and House Republican Floor Leader Peter Breen in the 2018 general election. She defeated Breen again in the 2020 general election.

Illinois House of Representatives Costa Howard was first sworn into the Illinois House of Representatives on January 9, 2019. She was reelected in 2020, 2022, and 2024. After her resignation, Margaret DeLaRosa was appointed as her successor.

Committees As of 2022, Costa Howard serves on the following committees and subcommittees: Adoption and Child Welfare (Vice-Chairperson) Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee

Judicial Service

On September 23, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court announced it would appoint Costa Howard as a resident circuit judge for a term starting October 17, 2025, and ending December 7, 2026.

Personal life Costa Howard was born and raised in DuPage County, where she now resides with her spouse and their three daughters.

Costa Howard is an attorney by trade. She attended University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and DePaul University College of Law. She is also a Girl Scout leader, an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage, and a member of the Parent Teacher Association.