The Issues

COST OF LIVING

The average Illinoisan is stretching a dollar more than they ever have before. And during this national economic crisis, your state government is lining its pockets at your expense. I’ve sponsored legislation that suspends the state sales tax on groceries and medicine permanently and limits the amount that state government can take from you at the gas pump. The only winner in times of high inflation is the government and that’s just plain wrong.

CRIME

The crime wave in Illinois and Chicago is terrifying. We need to hold criminals accountable and provide support to our law enforcement so that they can better do their job and know their state has their back. To address the crime wave sweeping across our state, my Republican colleagues and I introduced a revised legislative package that includes:

• Resources for members of law enforcement through the Fund the Police Act
• Punishment for those who commit violence against police officers
• 10 to life sentences for violent gun offenses (10 years for the first conviction and life for any subsequent conviction)
• Mandatory minimum sentences for those who provide guns to convicted felons
• Putting an end to catch and release for juvenile offenders
• Repealing cash bail provisions that were passed by Democrats last year

Passing these common sense reforms will address the crime happening now and allow our men and women in blue to do their jobs!

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Just like every Illinois family, the state has to live within its means. In order to get to a balanced budget and reverse the trend of people moving out of state, we must:

• Reduce spending
• Cut the existing tax burden
• Remove unfunded mandates and onerous state procurement rules on local governments that help drive up local property taxes
• Reform state purchasing practices to provide for greater competition and transparency driving down costs
• Block efforts to impose new taxes, such as a tax on senior income or a service tax

Big government has failed in Illinois. It’s time to reverse the status quo and make Illinois competitive again.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM

Our property taxes are out of control. Right now, state law allows voters to go to referendum to raise their property taxes, but not to lower them. I think that’s wrong. That’s why I sponsored legislation to give you the right to lower your property taxes at the ballot box, not just raise them.

SECOND AMENDMENT

I believe our Constitution guarantees the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. I support concealed carry rights for those citizens, and believe we need to expand opportunities for hunting and other shooting sports activities across the state.

The rise in mass shootings across our country is devastating and action needs to be taken to stop this epidemic. I am committed to working with members on both sides of the aisle to address this issue with a two-pronged approach:

• Close loopholes in our current system to ensure that people who are suffering from mental illness cannot purchase or access a firearm
• Increase mental health training and resources for our schools and law enforcement to proactively screen and treat individuals who are having a mental health crisis or are at risk of harming themselves or others

SANCTITY OF LIFE

Every human life is precious. Whether it be an unborn child, an adult who is developmentally disabled, or someone who is terminally ill, our policies need to encourage and value the innocent and vulnerable among us.

EDUCATION

I support the move to expand education vouchers so the money follows the child. I also support the expansion of charter schools. Competition in education leads to increased quality by putting parents in control of their child’s education. No child should suffer in a failing school simply based on where they live.

STATE COLLEGES

One of the biggest problems facing our state is our brain drain – kids moving out of state because college tuition at our universities is so high. Tuition at our schools are 30% – 60% higher than out-of-state schools in the same conference…despite the fact that the state pays double the national average per pupil.

When our future taxpayers go to school outside of Illinois, they often put down roots in those other states by starting jobs and families of their own there. That breaks up families. Rather than being micromanaged by the state, our universities need more autonomy on how to spend their money so they can bring down costs and make college more affordable.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE & FAIR MAPS

In a well-functioning election system, I believe voters are the ultimate term limit. However, for that to work, we must have fair maps and equitable campaign finance rules, neither of which currently exist in Illinois. I support the efforts to limit partisan redistricting and put the people back in charge.

TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Many of the traffic cameras across our state are about revenue and rife with abuse. I support eliminating red light cameras and speed cameras in the state.