Issues

Like the rest of the nation and throughout Illinois, Lake and Cook counties have been hit hard by three plus years of recession, economic turmoil, and of late, Republican indifference and/or unwillingness to compromise in Congress.

Since announcing my candidacy last May, I have met too many people who are looking for work, worrying about their mortgage, uncertain about their health insurance, and doubting that things will get any better anytime soon. Not just concerned about the present, many of us are doubting the future. Doubting that our children will have the opportunities we had. Doubting that our country’s best days still are ahead of us.

I, however, am an optimist. I believe that the American spirit that created the first 235 years of the American Dream remains strong. It is that spirit of “can-do” and perseverance that will be the engine to sustain the promise of America for the next generation, and the next after that.

I also believe that good government, including strong leadership and bold action from our Congress, can make a positive difference in our everyday lives.That, as much as anything, is why I am dedicating myself to working with our community to improve the lives of those struggling, to create opportunities for those with dreams, to restore confidence for all of us

It is in that vein that I am pleased to share with you the following brief summaries of my positions on many of the important issues facing our country. I welcome your perspectives, comments and ideas on these and any other issues that are of concern to you and your families.

Sincerely,

Middle Class Opportunity

Throughout my life, the “American Dream” has been a middle class reality. In fact, I think most people throughout the country consider themselves “middle class.” So what exactly does it mean to be middle class? To me, it is the ability to create a safe home for our family, with healthy food on the table, …

Jobs and the Economy

My vision is simple: long-term opportunities and prosperity that benefits all, not just some, Americans. As a member of Congress, I will work to provide small businesses, working families, displaced workers, and young people just entering the workforce, a hand up, a push forward, and a clearer path to achieving their own American Dream. Congress …

Fiscal Reform

In tough times like these, it is critical that we look for ways to tighten our belts. But not all cuts are wise, just, or advised. It makes no sense to save a dollar today only to spend two dollars tomorrow to restore the same program or repair the harm done by imprudent cuts. Neither …

Education

To enjoy long-term prosperity and security we must provide world-class schools for all our young people. If you have heard me speak, you have likely heard me say: “if China and India educate only 10% of their children well, they will educate more kids well than we have kids to educate!” We cannot expect to …

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

We are a great and proud country, blessed with an abundance of human ingenuity and anchored by an unbounded human spirit. The United States offers opportunity for all. Still, as we all know, sometimes life is not fair. Sometimes people seeking opportunity falter and need a helping hand from their neighbors. But sometimes neighbors cannot …

Environment

Ensuring our children’s security and prosperity means that we must strategically and responsibly maintain our environment, our ecology, and our natural resources. Doing so will enrich the lives, and livelihoods, of all Americans. Contrary to the ideological rhetoric of the Tea Party, responsible stewardship of our resources will promote economic growth, create jobs, and preserve …

Energy Security

We have been talking as a nation about energy independence for over forty years, with far too little progress to account for it. We remain almost wholly dependent on fossil fuels and wholly over-dependent on imported oil. America’s long-term prosperity and security, our environment, our economy, our global competitiveness and influence, require that we accelerate …

Health Care

Good health care should be a competitive advantage allowing us to grow our national prosperity, our national security, and our national well being. We need to move the debate from focusing only on “who pays” for a system we all know has too much waste and inefficiency, to a discussion about achieving optimal outcomes at …

Protecting Women’s Rights

I believe in a woman’s fundamental right to make her own decisions about her body and her health, free from intrusion by the government. We must diligently protect women’s access to comprehensive health care, including family planning, birth control, and safe, legal abortion. As a member of Congress, I will oppose any legislation that limits …

LGBT Equality & Civil Rights

All Americans are entitled to equal treatment and recognition under the law. It is unjust, un-American and simply wrong for our government to pass laws that treat citizens differently based on their sexual-orientation, gender identity or gender expression. If elected to Congress, I will be a strong advocate for the wide-ranging issues facing the LGBT …

National Security and Foreign Policy

As a member of Congress I will support policies that preserve the United States’ positive influence and leadership in bilateral and multilateral relations with our allies, in addressing challenges with our adversaries, and in setting international policies in global forums. Our goal in foreign policy must always be to keep America safe today, as well …

Security and Peace for Israel

Here in the Tenth District, Israel is more than a foreign policy issue. Every year large numbers of our neighbors and friends, children, students, and young adults visit Israel. Many of us have family, friends and co-workers in Israel. Peace and security for Israel and her neighbors is not just politics, it’s personal. I will …

Immigration Reform

From our earliest days, immigrants have been an essential part of the fabric of American society, and our prosperity. We would not have, could not have achieved the great successes of the American story, here at home and throughout the world, without the continuous influx and influence of new citizens from around the world. Still, …

Separation of Church and State

It is a founding principle of our constitution, memorialized in the Bill of Rights, in the very first amendment, that the United States has not and shall not have an established religion. It is a key virtue of our nation and an example to the world that every American shares the freedom to embrace and …

Gun Control

Examples of gun violence are present everyday across America, from college campuses to city centers. I believe we must work to enact sensible safe gun policy that will reduce gun violence in America. As a member of Congress I will pursue common sense gun policy including initiatives such as the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, the …

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