Illapa believes public education should be accessible and excellent, and that the city's future is shaped by its public schools.

As a former social worker, Illapa believes the state has an obligation to provide high-quality healthcare to every New Yorker regardless of employment, citizenship status, pre-existing conditions, or ability to pay.

Illapa supports affordable housing through tenant organizing, building tenant associations, pressuring negligent landlords, passing tenants' rights legislation, and creating community land trusts. He believes private developers and big landlords have controlled housing and that New Yorkers should take back control of their homes.

Illapa opposes relying on police and armed officers for public safety, instead advocating for care work and wraparound services to de-escalate and create safer communities. He supports decarceration, opposes targeting communities of color, and believes true public safety comes from stable communities with affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, and good union jobs. He wants to shift resources away from policing and jails toward schools, housing, healthcare, and jobs.

As an anti-war activist, Illapa is committed to advancing state-level proposals to cut off funding for war, displacement, and weapons, and to advance peace, social justice, and human rights at home and abroad.

Illapa helped pass the 2023 Build Public Renewables Act to help New York meet climate targets, lower costs, and create publicly owned renewable energy. He believes big corporations harm the environment and raise costs.

As the child of immigrants, Illapa has led Know Your Rights trainings, grown local rapid response networks, and provided schools with tools to protect neighbors from ICE. He opposes Trump's anti-immigrant policies and believes the state must step up to protect immigrant communities.

Illapa believes New York should prioritize safety, accessibility, and sustainable modes over car culture. He supports funding for street redesign, mass transit, accessibility, and active transport, and wants to reshape the environment to prioritize livability, safety, and sustainability.

As a proud gay person, Illapa has fought for LGBTQ siblings as a social worker and tenant organizer. He believes a safe, dignified, and good life can be possible for every LGBTQ person across New York State.