Issues

Economy and Taxes

Protecting and supporting the economic health of our community is my top priority. I strive to foster and maintain an economy that serves the hard working people in the 49th district who feel the heavy burden of property taxes. Many families in our district are struggling to make ends meet. I am a fiscally responsible leader who works hard to provide relief for your family. It is possible to reduce property taxes AND maintain the high level of services that make our communities strong.

Healthcare

Healthcare is a human right. I fight for every Illinoisan to have access to high quality, affordable healthcare. We can reign in the high cost of prescription drugs and hold insurance companies accountable for skyrocketing premiums. Additionally, I advocate for clarity and accountability in the healthcare billing system. I am committed to fixing our broken healthcare system to ensure that it works for all Illinoisans.

Education

Every child in the 49th district deserves access to a world class education, and I am fighting to make our public schools the very best they can be. Equity in education is extremely important, and I am working to ensure that no child and no school is overlooked. I have worked to expand Early Childhood Education services so that all children receive the critical head start that will set them on the path to educational and professional success. Supporting special education, mental health, and early intervention services in our public schools helps to eliminate the achievement gap and will lead to proud, productive, workforce-ready graduates. 

Illinois students are our state’s most valuable resource and we need to give them the skills required to succeed in 21st century careers. Properly funding community college and alternative education programs is key, but higher education in all its forms, should be affordable. Students looking at four-year institutions are faced with astronomical costs. They should not have to take on insurmountable debt to earn a 4-year degree.

I am fighting for high quality education programs; from early interventions to help our youngest children succeed, to affordable higher education that prepares students to be productive members of our global, high tech economy.

transparency

I am not a career politician. I am a mother, an educator, and an invested member of our community. My job as a state legislator is to work for you and represent our shared community values in Springfield. I have held corrupt policy makers accountable and will continue to support changes that will help clarify the political processes in Illinois. My own children can confirm that liars are not tolerated, and I am quite skilled at sniffing out falsehoods.

Equality

I believe in the inherent worth of all people regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or socioeconomic status, and I promise to be a leader that shows up and fights hard to protect your civil rights. Together we can create an Illinois where all people can live with dignity and freedom, access affordable, quality healthcare, and attend school and work without fear of discrimination.

Listening with compassion has never been as critical as it is right at this moment. I stand with the black community. I see you, and I hear you. I will work every day to make sure your voices are heard, and most importantly that you have a seat at the table in the 49th district. I will fight for anti-racist policies in policing and criminal justice. There is much work to be done to ensure equity in access to jobs, education, healthcare, and housing. My heart, my eyes, and my ears are open. I am here to do the hard work.

Common Sense Gun Reform

Gun violence is a public health crisis. We can protect our communities from gun violence while still protecting the Second Amendment.  Like the majority of Americans, I support common sense gun safety laws that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people like convicted criminals and domestic abusers. I support evidence based common sense gun reforms like red flag laws that have been proven to keep our communities safer. I will continue to push for funding that supports community violence prevention programs and mental health services that help communities in need. I sponsored and passed a new law that re-evaluated active shooter drills that were traumatic for our students without any evidence that they save lives. Our children and educators deserve to go to school free from traumatizing drills. They deserve a learning environment free from the fear of gun violence.

Environment

As a parent, the environmental health of our planet weighs heavily on my mind. With global emissions reaching record levels and global temperatures on the rise, I fear for the planet that my children will inherit. Climate change is undeniable and we are overdue for action. I supported environmental legislation that protects the economic health of our communities while promoting and advancing clean energy solutions.

We must recognize the intersectionality of environmental and social justice. It is critical that we take steps to solve the climate crisis while providing support for the communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Advocating for policies that protect the environment while improving the quality of life for those living in the 49th district is paramount. Together we can make the changes needed to protect our planet for future generations