Make Democracy Work Again.
Environment & Energy.
Unlike my opponent, I know that Climate Change is real. Not only is it real, it is an existential threat to our planet that needs to be addressed at every level.
We have the infrastructure to implement green measures; we just don’t have the gutsy politicians. I will fight to bring green energy grants to our communities and schools in our district so that we can begin addressing the climate crisis head on.
Term Limits.
Illinois is infamously known as one of the most corrupt states in the union. How do we address some of this deep rooted corruption? To me, part of the answer lies in imposing term limits on members of the Illinois General Assembly.
Mike Madigan, Illinois Speaker of the House, has been a State Representative for 49 years. Thats about 40 years too many. It’s past time we retire the term “Career Politician” in Springfield.
Law Enforcement.
The police are here to protect and serve us. And a majority of the time, they do just that. However, whenever a police officer steps out of bounds, we and other police must hold them accountable just like with any other occupation.
I support making police officers convicted of a felony ineligible for their pensions upon retirement. I would also fight to require independent special prosecutors investigate all law enforcement related deaths.
Criminal Justice.
I support a ban on private prisons in Illinois. I do not believe the purpose of a prison is to make money for a private company. I also don’t think it’s in the best interests of the people of Illinois for these private prisons to contract with the State to set a minimum quota of prisoners that they will keep locked up. Chris Miller voted against a ban on private prisons. I would back it 100%.
We also need to rethink what we consider a crime. Is experiencing psychosis a crime? Is being addicted to drugs a crime? Is being homeless a crime? Or are these people that need help? I would work to create another 3 digit phone system alongside 911 to call during these cases so they can get connected to a professional trained in crisis control and deescalation instead of being approached by a police officer that may only escalate the situation further.
Education.
I was someone that benefited from my public education. I’ve had many wonderful teachers help guide my path along the way through school. I know the importance of a solid educational foundation, and I also know that doesn’t look the same for every student. It’s time we think outside the box so that we include every student in success.
We need to invest more in public education, not cut funding for it just to give to private charter schools. This started with a bill that recently passed in Illinois that raises the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000, Chris Miller voted against this raise. I don’t think it goes far enough; we must finally pass legislation that allows teachers to get state insurance for themselves and their families just like any other government employees do.
We also need more funding to allow public schools to develop non-traditional educational routes for those students who may not be on the path toward college success, but can still exceed in a trade.
Budget Deficit.
I support the graduated state income tax. I do not think it is unreasonable or unfair for us to ask the top 3% of Illinoisans to pay a higher tax rate than the bottom 3% of Illinoisans. We are one of the only states that has a flat income tax for all citizens whether they are poor or rich. If we raise taxes on the top 3% of Illinoisans, we can generate more revenue to help close the deficit.
While this will help, I know that it isn’t anywhere near close enough to close the gap. That is why we need to take a hard look at the current budget and eliminate wasteful, bureaucratic spending. Our state spends the most per student on education, and we have nothing to show for it. Why is that? I want to go to Springfield so I can find the answers to these questions that no one seems concerned with,
Jobs & Taxes.
I'm an accountant by trade. I know that when you have more outflow than inflow, it's not a good thing, referring to both our state deficit and our continual population migration. To address this, we must make Illinois one of the leaders of the Midwest in green energy and bring with it many high paying jobs.
Too many of our citizens are turning to other states to provide them with better jobs and lower taxes. We can rebuild the shrinking middle class by investing in those high paying jobs of the future while making sure those on top pay their fair share so that the bottom 97% of Illinoisans and small businesses either see their taxes decrease or see no change.
Campaign Finance.
Federally, we need to overturn Citizens United which allows floods of dark corporate money to come into local, state, and federal political campaigns. Until this gets overturned, we need to have new state campaign finance laws that keeps big money out of our state and local elections.
We need to get the special interests out of politics, too. Unlike Chris Miller, I will not take money from the fossil fuel industry. We will be a campaign funded by people only so that you know my interests ALWAYS lies with my constituents.
Arts & Culture.
When I was going through middle school, most of my favorite moments involved the arts. Whether it was with my grandmother on a bus trip or in school on a field trip, I remember these visits to theaters and museums being a mind-broadening experience. Unfortunately, I also know there have been cuts to arts & culture in the past.
I want to see communities invest in cultural centers, theaters, museums, art exhibits, etc… so that we can spur creativity and look back at differing values over time. Art influences society and is often a vehicle for social change. Art has also shown positive correlation between children’s grades in math and literacy. Why not invest?