Illinois Congressional Election 2016 Political Courage Test

Abortion

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that a woman?s medical decisions are between her and her physician, with no interference from politicians or employers. All medical options must be available to women and their doctors to ensure the best possible health care outcome. I am committed to protecting education, advocacy, policies and access regarding reproductive health services. I am a longtime supporter of Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood and an active member of the Joint Action Committee-PAC, and have been a strong advocate for women?s access to reproductive and general health care for decades.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Unknown Position

3. Other or expanded principles
- We need to reform our tax code not only to simplify it, but to also to fairly share the burden of running this great nation across our entire population. We need to evaluate defense spending, further assessing what equipment and programs will best defeat non-traditional enemies as well as consider cyber-related defense investments, boosting our security interests while also using our resources effectively.

Campaign Finance

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Campaign finance reform is necessary to the creation of a representative government. Elected officials must be accountable to constituents, not campaign contributors. In Congress, I will support meaningful legislation to improve this broken process that is critical to our democracy. As the Mayor of Highland Park, I initiated an era of unprecedented transparency in municipal government and invited the public into the decision making process. In Congress, I will support any legislation that promises to do the same. Our current system prohibits true representative government by placing financial obstacles in front of candidates willing to serve.

Crime

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

2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

3. Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Congress should take steps to reform legislation that provides a restorative approach to criminal justice. Working together, we can achieve best practices in schools, the justice system and our communities. We need to start bringing forward more just and proportionate sentencing, providing a more constructive prison culture education and attention to mental health issues. Too many young people become trapped in our system with no path out. The majority can be rehabilitated and become contributing members of society. It is time to break a complicated cycle of recidivism and promote public safety.

Economy

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

2. Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Unknown Position

3. Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- The primary driver of our local and national economies is small business. I will work to provide incentives and support public/private partnerships that boost small businesses and entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and grow. Providing a broad range of jobs is the key to getting the middle class back on its feet and fair wages are critical to the survival of our hard-working families. Additionally, investment in infrastructure supports our economy and quality of life while providing jobs. Having made infrastructure a priority as a Mayor, I will continue to do so in Congress.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- As the mother of four sons, I am deeply committed to ensuring an excellent public education for all children. Public schools should be fully and adequately funded, making sure our teachers have the resources they need to guarantee our children the best education possible. I believe that it is in everyone?s best interest to ensure that all children have access to quality early-childhood programs. I will also work to make ongoing post-secondary education, whether college or vocational training, available and affordable. Students should not enter the world after school burdened by unmanageable debt.

Energy

1. Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?
- Unknown Position

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

3. Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- We need a balanced energy plan that expands our energy supply and promotes a diverse energy mix. Encouraging research and development in new energy technologies will result in conservation in homes and businesses. Promoting clean energy will ultimately reduce pollutants, strengthen our economy and provide America with reliable, efficient and affordable energy sources.

Environment

1. Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- Climate change represents one of the greatest economic and security threats facing the world today. I will work to pass legislation that helps the US move toward a more sustainable future in ways that improve our environment and our economy. As the Mayor of a city located on Lake Michigan, I am committed to protecting the Great Lakes to ensure clean drinking water and a healthy ecosystem for generations to come. As Mayor, I took action, addressing toxic stormwater run-off and improving water conservation awareness.

Guns

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- As a Mayor, I passed one of the first local assault weapons bans in the nation. While the NRA crowded my council chamber and vigorously challenged the ban, my city prevailed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. I have taken on the NRA and will continue to work to create sensible gun control measures to protect our children and families, including supporting a national assault weapons ban, requiring universal background checks, closing gun show loopholes and putting an end to straw purchases. We must do more to save American lives from gun violence and the time is now.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- I have prioritized accessible quality, affordable health care for all, advocating professionally and personally for over 30 years. Over 18 million people finally have access to life-changing care. I support provisions in the Affordable Care Act that prevent insurers from withholding health insurance from those with preexisting conditions and allow children to remain on their parents? insurance plans until age 26. Although the Affordable Care Act is not perfect, I believe Congress should work to make improvements where possible and build on the success of the program, rather than waste resources on repeated efforts to repeal the program.

Immigration

1. Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- The U.S. is a great nation because of the generations of immigrants who have strengthened our country and contributed to our economy. Our future depends on an immigration system that reflects our values and meets America?s needs. Separating families, undermining honest employers and workers, burdening law enforcement, and leaving millions of people working and living in the shadows is not acceptable. I created a local legal aid clinic to actively help resolve issues that interfere with the path to citizenship. I am a tireless advocate for our immigrant families, helping to incorporate them into our communities while celebrating their culture.

Marriage

1. Do you support same-sex marriage?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I support full equality for all gay and transgender people, including marriage equality and nondiscrimination protections. I believe that discrimination ? with regard to employment, housing or any other area ? cannot be tolerated. Every human being should be able to work hard and live their life without fear of discrimination. Particularly now, at a time when enemies of equality are cloaking their attacks under ?religious freedom and protection,? we must all be vigilant in protecting the progress for which so many have fought so hard.

National Security

1. Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
- Unknown Position

2. Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the United States from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- No Answer

3. Other or expanded principles
- Our highest priority is the security of the American people. While we must remain vigilant fighting terrorist forces, I supported diplomacy when the JCPOA question was asked. We must apply a realistic balance, using our substantial counterterrorism capabilities, coordinating with allies, improving intelligence, strengthening our defenses, and stemming the flow of foreign fighters into and out of the Middle East. Additionally, the provision of safe zones and humanitarian relief for millions of families fleeing oppression and war is critical to their safety as well as future views of the U.S. and subsequent decisions to inflict harm or not.

Social Security

1. Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- Protecting Social Security is a crucial priority. Social Security is one of the most successful social programs in history, providing a safety net that has kept millions of seniors, people with disabilities and their dependents out of poverty. Without this vital benefit, over 50% of American seniors would slide into poverty. I do not support investing portions of Social Security?s assets into the high-risk environment of the private market. I am committed to working to guarantee Social Security?s long-term solvency and security, so that this program can remain a cornerstone of the social contract with Americans for generations to come.

Spending and Taxes

1. Agriculture
- No Answer

2. Arts
- No Answer

3. Defense
- No Answer

4. Education
- No Answer

5. Environment
- No Answer

6. Homeland Security
- No Answer

7. International aid
- No Answer

8. Medical Research
- No Answer

9. Scientific Research
- No Answer

10. Space exploration
- No Answer

11. United Nations
- No Answer

12. Welfare
- No Answer

13. Other or expanded categories
- No Answer

1. Capital gains taxes
- No Answer

2. Corporate taxes
- No Answer

3. Small business taxes
- No Answer

4. Excise taxes (alcohol)
- No Answer

5. Excise taxes (cigarettes)
- No Answer

6. Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
- No Answer

7. Income taxes (low-income families)
- No Answer

8. Income taxes (middle-income families)
- No Answer

9. Income taxes (high-income families)
- No Answer

10. Inheritance taxes
- No Answer

11. Payroll taxes
- No Answer

12. Other or expanded categories
- No Answer

Administrative Priorities

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.
- Economic Opportunity: Grow and support business while expanding job opportunities through increased economic growth and tax reform. Gun Violence Reduction: In Congress, I will work to pass a national assault weapons and large capacity magazine ban, close gun show loopholes, require universal background checks, and hold gun dealers who violate the law accountable. Strengthening the Affordable Care Act: Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, Congress has wasted time and resources voting over 36 times to repeal ACA. I will work to preserve and improve the ACA, making sure that all Americans receive the medical care they need.