Candidate for Illinois House of Representatives - District 82 in 2020 Illinois General Election.
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Get StartedCriminal justice reform is long overdue. The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other country in the world. Despite having only approximately 5% of the world’s population, we have nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners. In order to improve the criminal justice system, we must focus more on the rehabilitation aspect of incarceration including mental health and substance abuse counseling, as well as provide additional economic and job training opportunities to inmates while in prison. For a smoother transition back into society, I support a community service program whereby inmates, upon completion of their prison term, are given a paid and monitored temporary community service job until full-time employment can be obtained. Learn more
Thanking veterans for their service is not enough. We need to take care of our veterans and provide them with the resources necessary to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. This includes job training programs, mental health programs, quality and affordable medical care, support and community groups, and financial and housing assistance. As your state representative, I will meet with veterans to better identify their unique needs and will work tirelessly until all veterans are provided with the resources they need and deserve. Learn more
High school graduates and young adults in Illinois are often ill-prepared and lack the necessary skills needed to successfully build a career in today’s workforce. There is not enough focus in schools on learning the technical skills required by modern-day employers. I will work to forge relationships between schools and employers to equip our students with the skills required in today’s workforce. This can be done by offering on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs to any student interested in pursuing a technical career. Learn more
College tuition in the United States is becoming more and more unaffordable. We have a student debt crisis that is unheard of in other countries. Students and their families should not have to suffer financially for years just to cover the cost of college tuition. Education should be a right for all qualified students, not a privilege or a hardship. As your state representative, I will support and sponsor legislation that puts students first. This includes any bills that decrease public university tuition, mandate a freeze on public university tuition, allow for greater tuition tax deductions and credits, and support loan forgiveness initiatives. Learn more
Climate change is REAL and has already wreaked havoc on our environment. If we do not take significant steps forward to protect our environment during this next decade, the damage to our planet will be irreparable. I will support and strengthen strict state-mandated environmental standards, investment in clean energy technologies, environmental education, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more
Campaigns and candidates should be funded by the people; not by large corporations, lobbying groups, and Super PACs that attempt to influence policies in order to benefit their own agendas. Politicians who accept significant contributions from special interest groups are UNABLE to represent us. They are BEHOLDEN to the agendas of their large special interest donors. We cannot afford to continue to allow these compromised politicians to represent us. If elected, I will fight for legislation to ensure the integrity of our elected officials. This would include restricting donations from special interest groups and advocating for publicly funded campaigns. Learn more
Any political science scholar will say that the number one goal of 99% of elected officials is to get re-elected. This MUST change! The number one goal of every elected official should be to serve and represent his or her constituents. In order for our state and democracy to thrive, we need an influx of innovative candidates and ideas. Many of Illinois’ elected officials have been in office for several decades and have not been representing the needs of the people; rather, these individuals have been enriching themselves and using their immense political power to preserve the status quo and enact the agendas of large corporations and donors. Enacting term limits will help to ensure that no politician gains too much power and will allow for everyday people to be better represented. Learn more
While I am a strong supporter of our constitution and the 2nd Amendment, we must do more to prevent senseless gun violence and mass shootings in our country. I will support tougher laws to crack down on illegal gun sales, close loopholes on background checks, require comprehensive training to obtain a gun license, and ban the purchase of assault weapons. However, it is also important that we focus on mental health and changing the culture of violence that has become so prevalent in the United States today. If we do this and institute stronger common-sense gun legislation, we can reduce gun violence. Learn more
As your state representative, I will advocate for a universal healthcare system that puts the needs and well-being of all Illinoisans before profit. I will also work to enact legislation to regulate the cost of prescription medication. If we can bail out the banking system and the airline industry with trillions of dollars, we can certainly afford to take care of every American through universal healthcare which is a basic human right. Learn more
Illinois currently has a flat state income tax rate of 4.95%. This means that Illinois’ richest households pay the same percentage tax rate on their income as Illinois’ poorest households. Illinoisans need a tax system that DOES NOT put the burden on the working class, but instead forces the rich to pay their fair share. If elected, I will support a plan that goes further than the Fair Tax for Illinois proposal by lowering the state income tax rate more substantially for all households earning $250,000 or less. Learn more
Due to corruption and the lack of integrity of our elected officials, our property taxes have gone through the roof. Illinoisans pay the second highest property taxes in the United States. We must demand fair assessments and caps on property tax increases. Furthermore, property tax money needs to be spent much more efficiently. Learn more
Unions play a very important role in ensuring that workers are treated and compensated fairy. I recognize the need for Union empowerment and will work to protect and support unions and their members. Learn more
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