Illinois State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortions were available for affluent women who could pay doctors willing to perform the procedure illegally. Poor women, however, were more likely to attempt dangerous abortions that led to health problems or even death. Roe v. Wade should have put an end to these practices. But the restrictions placed on public funding make it difficult for poor women to access safe abortions. The decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor. If she chooses abortion, she should have access to a safe procedure regardless of her finances.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support a graduated income tax which would reduce the rate for working and middle class families while increasing the rate for those making $300,000 or more.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No Answer

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No Answer

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Illinois?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- I would prefer to examine specific regulations regarding the private sector rather than give a simple Yes or No answer about reducing regulations. There are likely some regulations I'd support repealing and others I would not.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Illinois?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Illinois high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring local governments to fund teacher pensions?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding charter schools, I support limited state funding for charter schools that are approved by local school boards. Generally, I'd rather see state funding go directly to neighborhood public schools, but there is a role for a limited number of charter schools. I may also be open to transitioning responsibility for teacher pensions to local governments over a significant number of years, but only when carefully studied and planned.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Illinois's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Illinois's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Illinois's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Illinois state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- I support stable and consistent funding for K-12 schools and higher education. Our number one priority should be investing in our schools, colleges and universities to ensure we have an educated workforce and citizenry. I support restoring funding for social services that our most vulnerable populations rely on. We need to ensure our senior citizens, residents with disabilities and others who may live on the margins have access to needed services. I support implementation of a graduated income tax.