Distrito 10 — Illinois State House of Representatives

I believe voters could benefit from having new voices and new ideas on a regular basis. But if term limits are going to be applied to the legislature, they should be applied so they include statewide officials, as well. Otherwise all the legislature would be doing is empowering statewide officials, such as the governor, and not holding statewide officers to same standard.

Both the legislature and the governor are responsible for implementing a state budget that meets the needs of our local families. But we shouldn’t be pointing fingers, what we need to do is take stock in what the failure to pass a budget meant in terms of human costs. How many families and children worried about the possible closure of schools without state funding, how many seniors went without meals or homecare without state funding, how many victims of domestic violence were unable to get the services they need without state funding, how many local working families went without needed childcare. Those who truly care about our families and our state have worked to pass plans that fund the programs our families rely on. I understand the state faces serious financial challenges, and I believe we can work together to find reasonable solutions to trim spending that is unnecessary while finding new revenue that is needed to keep vital programs operational. Some ways of generating new revenue for the state that I support are increasing taxes in millionaires and closing corporate tax loopholes.

I disagree with the governor’s thinking that more cuts are needed to higher education. The idea is irresponsible. Thanks to plans to slash state support for higher education to the bone, Chicago State University faced the possibility of closing. Even after the school received emergency funding, it had to lay off employees. The loss of good-paying jobs devastates our economy; it doesn’t turn it around. Furthermore, thousands of students were forced to leave college or delay college because the governor would not support funding for MAP grants. When elected officials refuse to invest in our children’s education, they are failing our students and destroying their futures. While there may be parts of colleges’ and universities’ budgets that could stand closer scrutiny and be streamlined, to call for massive 30 percent cuts to all colleges and universities as the governor did is reckless and irresponsible. 

Chicago’s public schools have been shortchanged by the state for years It’s time for that to come to an end. Chicago’s taxpayers contribute mightily to the revenue collected by the state, so it is only right and fair that the city’s schools receive the funding they deserve. To help children in struggling communities, I support providing additional dollars to schools where poverty is high and where children come from poorer households. No child should receive any less of education because they live in a different ZIP code.

I support closing corporate tax loopholes, increasing taxes rates on millionaires, passing a graduated income tax so higher incomes are taxed at a higher rate while the middle class and lower-wage families pay less, eliminating or combining duplicative programs, combining the offices of the state comptroller and state treasurer. 

I support a constitutional amendment to protect transportation funding. Our mass transit, roads and bridges are in dire need of constant repair, and the last full construction program the state had was passed seven years ago. The state needs to again make an investment in our infrastructure. I support closing corporate tax loopholes, increasing taxes rates on millionaires, passing a graduated income tax so higher incomes are taxed at a higher rate while the middle class and lower-wage families pay less, eliminating or combining duplicative programs, combining the offices of the state comptroller and state treasurer. 

This is a $100-billion issue and one that years and years of neglect and underfunding by governors and legislators created. Attempts to address this issue have been found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, so any new proposal must be carefully crafted. I know something has to be done to address this issue, for the sake of taxpayers, our communities, and the future retirement of workers who have played by the rules and are counting on a retirement, which in most cases is modest. Knowing the seriousness of this problem, I believe all those involved can come to a solution that acknowledges this is a problem that must be fixed, but one that cannot be fixed using unconstitutional language or a plan that destroys workers’ futures. 

Criminal justice reform issues are complex – there is no panacea or simple fix. I am supportive of efforts to make sure Illinois’ youth and others are not penalized their entire lives for mistakes, but I also believe that those who commit violent crimes must be held accountable, especially when we read every day about more deadly shootings on our streets. Victims of crimes must be heard, as should their families. Our neighbors want our streets to be safe. I believe by working together we can make positive reforms while still making sure that the most dangerous criminals are kept off our streets.

This is not an issue that I have heard much about talking to residents in my district. They are concerned about fairness in the criminal justice system – something that for too long many local residents have felt has been non-existent and they are concerned with getting guns off our streets and ending the violence we see every day. 

I’d want to know the details of proposed laws on this topic. It’s something that should be discussed with all stakeholders and legislators.

This is not an issue that I’ve heard a lot about in my district, but with such a complex issue on life and death matters, this is not something to be considered lightly. There are passionate voices on both sides of this issue, and I believe their voices need to be heard. 

Tragically, not a day can go by without hearing about a shooting in our city – or worse, hearing about a shooting or witnessing one in our own neighborhoods. Almost as many people have been shot so far this year in Chicago as were shot in the city all last year. Words cannot begin to express the anger, frustration and fear local residents feel about the grip that deadly weapons on our streets has on our entire city. We need action. Tighter background checks and cracking down on those who illegally buy guns for others are two needed steps to getting guns out of our neighborhoods and saving lives. I support requiring gun dealers to be licensed. I support getting guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and the mentally ill. I support an assault weapons ban. I support background checks on anyone purchasing a firearm.

I support increasing the minimum wage statewide. The current minimum wage of $8.25 an hour makes it impossible for struggling working men and women to provide for their families. We need to take steps to help those who are earning the minimum wage to earn a living wage. Illinois voters have overwhelmingly stated their support for an increase in the minimum wage. This issue deserves more discussion in the legislature on what the increase should be statewide. Proposals have been offered to increase the minimum wage to $10.65 an hour. I could support that increase, and I believe local governments should be able to pass their own minimum wage laws that could be higher than the state minimum wage, but should not be allowed to pass laws that would make the local wage lower than the statewide wage.

I would need to see the specifics of the bill and what the revenue generated would be invested in. 

There are a number of proposals and ideas to increase the use of renewable energy and to increase the use of emission-free energy. Our focus on these issues cannot be narrow but must think long-term what the impact will be on local jobs, consumer costs, and the state of the environment we are leaving behind for future generations. The state must position itself to meet the energy needs of consumers for decades to come at affordable costs while creating and creating jobs and preserving our environment.

Yes.  I have taken the pledge.   See my website.  Votespog.com

Obviously the majority of the blame goes to the majority party, which has the power to create gridlock.  If Iliinois government was a business there would be shareholder lawsuits for breach of fiduciary responsibilities. However, finger pointing will not get us where we need to go, which will involve  compromise on both sides of the ailse to resolve the state's financial crisis and get the state back on track.   

I do not believe that the average Illinois resident understands what a financial mess the state has on its hands.  All sides are to blame. Yes, cuts and head chopping will be necessary.  But I believe there are more fundamental, structural problems wih higher education in Illinois and across the nation, starting with government guarantees student loans, and eliminating the students ability to discharge student debt through bankruptcy. 

It is not a matter of tweaking the funding formula.   It is a matter of school choice. Every parent should be given school choice.  The parents are the best ones to decide where their children go to school.

We need a budget, period.  We do not need new taxes -- that is a cop out.  To the extent short term revenue increases are needed to get the state back on track, they must be tied to goals that must be met, and must have sunset provisions so that they expire.

Question 1:  yes

Question 2:  I agree in part that more money is needed for highways, roads, and bridges.  Why do we support bike lanes on a busy artery street next to an underground subway?, eg Milwaukee Ave.  The planners make no sense.  Also, the planners can't run things or manage a budget.  This just cannabilizes mass transit.  The bicycle crowd needs pathways free of cars, not major arteries, to avoid, not compete with trucks. Better routes away from traffic. They will have to pay their fair share also. 

1) new hires on defined contribution plans.

2) current employees on defined contribution plans where allowed by constitutional due process.

3) retirement income tax on state pensions for 4 year period with sunset provision, with exemption for smaller pension distribution levels.

4) special tax assessment on Illinois govt pensions taken by out of state residents.

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sure, you would be nuts not to support that. 

The state is broke and are seizing anything they can get their hands on. It is wrong, period. I decry and condem this unlawful seizure practice without due process of law.  

yes

all life is sacred.  

Death and taxes should be avoided  

The terminally ill should be accorded dignity in the death process  

I support the 2nd Amendment, and concealed carry. All studies show lawfully carried handguns reduce gun violence and crime. 

I believe in the market. I do not support increasing the minimum wage. I believe in free markets, freedom of contract, and freedom of association.  I believe employees have a right to form a union if they feel they need better wages and benefits. But I do not think government understands the markets or businesses.  The government's well intentioned effort to improve workers lives, inevitably results in fewer jobs.  This ultimately affects low wage and low skilled workers, and young workers, particularly in the minority communities.

I am against this proposal. 

Illinois needs to start living within its means and quit spending money that it does not have. 

It depends what you mean by renewable. 

I do do not favor the use of food commodities for energy. Other renewables, such as algae bio fuel, recycled cooking oil, or wind, water, & solar, I support,