Illa began her EMS career as an EMT in 2003 at American Medical Response (AMR) in El Paso County, CO. She completed her BS and paramedic education program from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs in 2006. Illa has been a paramedic with Ute Pass Regional Health Services District (UPRHSD) since 2006 and is currently working in the Community Paramedic division. She received both the Plains to Peaks RETAC and State of Colorado Paramedic of the year award in 2014 as well as the Plains to Peaks RETAC and the Dr. Gerald Gordon EMS Instructor of the Year award in 2020. Illa obtained her Adjunct Instructor course certification in 2007 and began instructing part-time at Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC). She continues to fill in as adjunct faculty at PPCC and currently co-teaches the Community Paramedic classes and the Accelerated Paramedic classes there. In addition, in 2016 she began teaching part-time for UCHealth and has been an AHA instructor for many years. A longtime Colorado resident, Illa enjoys hiking, biking, traveling and playing in the rivers and lakes with her husband and two children.