Salvador Illa began his public career in 1995 as Mayor of his hometown, La Roca del Vallès. He later served as Director General for Infrastructure Management at the Department of Justice of the Government of Catalonia between 2005 and 2009.  

In January 2020, Salvador Illa was appointed Minister of Health of the Government of Spain, leading the response during the most challenging periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has served as President of the Parliamentary Group Socialists and Unidos por Avanzar, and as Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Catalonia during the last legislative term. Since December 2021, Salvador Illa has been the First Secretary of the PSC.