I’m Fighting for the Future of Illinois:

Illinoisans deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Rising crime rates, especially in urban areas like Chicago, are impacting families, businesses, and quality of life. As your Congresswoman, I will:

• Advocate for federal support by leveraging existing government infrastructure such as the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program and Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) to provide critical funding for local law enforcement. These funds will enhance community policing efforts, support crime prevention initiatives, and strengthen coordinated responses to violent crime and organized retail theft.

• Push for funding to support community policing initiatives by leveraging federal programs such as the DOJ’s Community Policing Development (CPD) Program, which funds innovative community policing strategies. Advocate for grants that enable local departments to implement training focused on de-escalation, cultural competency, and partnership building to improve trust between law enforcement and communities.

• Promote stricter penalties for repeat offenders and organized retail theft by working with federal and state lawmakers to enhance penalties for serial offenders. Support policies that increase sentencing minimums for those convicted of repeated violent crimes and organized theft rings, while advocating for enhanced coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies to track and prosecute multi-state crime networks.

• Support youth intervention programs that address crime before it starts by advocating for federal funding through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Champion programs that provide mentorship, educational support, and career training to at-risk youth, helping to reduce recidivism and break cycles of violence.

Every child deserves a quality education, and every parent deserves to know what’s being taught. I believe in fostering an education system that empowers parents and prepares students for real-world success. My priorities include:

• Supporting curriculum transparency legislation by advocating for federal and state policies that require schools to provide parents with clear, accessible information about lesson plans and educational materials, especially on sensitive or controversial topics. This includes mandating that schools send written notices to parents before teaching material related to race, gender identity, social justice, or political ideologies, ensuring that parents have the opportunity to review and discuss content in advance.

• Promoting vocational and technical training by advocating for increased federal funding through the Perkins V Act, which supports career and technical education (CTE) programs. This will include partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and local businesses to create pathways to apprenticeships, certification programs, and hands-on job training, ensuring that students are prepared for careers in trades, technology, and emerging industries.

• Increasing safety in schools by leveraging federal grants such as those available through the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) to enhance physical security measures, including surveillance systems, controlled access points, and emergency response protocols. Additionally, advocate for funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand mental health counseling and crisis intervention services within schools.

• Advocating for school choice by supporting federal initiatives like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and charter school expansion, giving parents the ability to use public funding for private, charter, or homeschooling options. This empowers families to choose educational settings that align with their values and meet their children’s unique learning needs.

• Providing robust funding for homeschooling parents and coop groups by advocating for tax credits and federal funding through grants that support home-based education initiatives. This includes resources for curriculum development, extracurricular activities, and academic support services, helping parents who choose to educate their children at home without financial disadvantage.

Women and families are the backbone of our communities. I will champion policies that support health and well-being, without sacrificing parental rights or individual freedoms. My commitments include:

• Ensuring access to quality maternal healthcare by advocating for federal funding to support innovative healthcare models that increase accessibility for working families. This includes promoting subscription-based healthcare services where parents can access affordable, on-demand care without long wait times or excessive out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, I will support community health initiatives that provide comprehensive care during pregnancy and postpartum, focusing on maternal mental health, nutrition, and family wellness.

• Advocating for birth empowerment by supporting policies that integrate doulas, midwives, and comprehensive postpartum care into mainstream healthcare through Medicaid and private insurance coverage. I will push for grants that enable community-based birth centers to offer holistic and culturally competent care, especially in underserved areas. This approach ensures women have access to a full spectrum of birth choices and supportive care networks.

• Supporting policies that uphold parental rights by ensuring that healthcare and educational systems respect family autonomy. This includes advocating for clear consent procedures in medical treatments for minors and guaranteeing that parents have the final say in healthcare decisions affecting their children, particularly in school-based medical interventions or vaccinations.

• Opposing mandates that restrict personal healthcare choices by advocating for policies that require full disclosure and informed consent before any medical intervention. I will work to protect families from coercive healthcare practices and ensure that every individual has the right to make medical decisions based on accurate information and personal beliefs.

High taxes and excessive regulations are pushing businesses and families out of Illinois. It’s time to make Illinois a place where people want to live, work, and invest. I will:

• Advocate for reducing state and federal tax burdens on middle-class families and small businesses by promoting comprehensive tax reform that addresses high property taxes, income taxes, and business fees. I will push for federal tax credits that directly benefit working families, including expanded child tax credits and deductions for essential expenses. Additionally, I will work to reduce bureaucratic costs associated with small business compliance, allowing entrepreneurs to reinvest in their operations and workforce.

• Support initiatives that cut unnecessary red tape by advocating for streamlined permitting processes and reducing regulatory overlap that burdens entrepreneurs. I will support federal grants for local business incubators that help startups navigate compliance efficiently. Additionally, I will work to modernize outdated regulations that make it harder for small businesses to thrive in competitive markets.

• Encourage investment in tech and manufacturing by advocating for tax incentives targeted at innovation hubs and industrial redevelopment zones. I will support public-private partnerships that enhance workforce development in STEM fields and manufacturing, and push for federal grants to modernize infrastructure that supports tech startups and advanced manufacturing operations.

• Push for targeted tax incentives by advocating for Opportunity Zone enhancements and innovation credits that attract new businesses to Illinois while supporting local entrepreneurs. I will promote policies that reduce startup costs, including tax relief for the first three years of operation, and incentivize businesses that invest in distressed communities or hire locally.

Family is at the core of everything we do. I believe in policies that keep families strong, resilient, and supported. My approach includes:

• Advocating for access to affordable childcare and early childhood education by supporting federal funding for programs that reduce costs for working-class families. This includes advocating for the expansion of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and pushing for tax credits that offset the cost of daycare and preschool. I will also support community-driven childcare solutions, such as co-op childcare models and employer-supported daycare initiatives.

• Supporting initiatives that strengthen parental involvement by advocating for policies that require schools to actively seek parental input through advisory councils, town halls, and digital feedback platforms. I will promote federal grants to support parent-teacher collaboration programs that make involvement accessible for busy working families.

• Fighting to protect parental rights by advocating for legislation that ensures parents have the final say in educational and healthcare decisions affecting their children. I will oppose mandates that infringe upon family autonomy and support policies that reinforce parents’ rights to choose the best path for their child's education, healthcare, and well-being.

Illinois has the potential to be a leader in innovation, industry, and community strength. We must harness that potential by:

• Building alliances between local businesses, schools, and community leaders to foster innovation and job creation by leveraging existing federal initiatives like the Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants. I will advocate for collaborative projects that pair vocational training programs with local businesses, creating direct pipelines from education to employment. Additionally, I will push for partnerships that link community colleges with tech and manufacturing companies to develop tailored workforce development programs.

• Addressing housing shortages by advocating for policies that directly support working-class families in securing affordable, stable housing. I will push for the expansion of federal programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, specifically targeting communities with high rent burdens and limited housing options. I will support innovative housing solutions such as community land trusts and affordable housing cooperatives to ensure long-term affordability and community ownership. Additionally, I will advocate for reducing property tax burdens for working families and preventing displacement by ensuring that development initiatives include affordable housing components tailored to long-standing residents.

• Reducing food deserts through local agriculture initiatives by advocating for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). I will support grants for urban agriculture projects, farmers' markets, and community co-ops, as well as partnerships with grocery chains to establish affordable, fresh food access points in underserved communities.

• Ensuring that policies designed to stimulate growth do not displace long-standing residents by advocating for community benefit agreements (CBAs) that require developers to include affordable housing and local hiring practices. I will also support policies that provide property tax relief for long-term homeowners in rapidly gentrifying areas, ensuring families can remain in their communities as neighborhoods grow.