Pledges to ‘make difficult decisions’
This November, the people of the 90th District will have a choice between two very different candidates. The person elected to serve this district will be given the task of representing the people of this district for the first time.
I believe the people of this district deserve a representative who will serve this district without the distraction of working another job. I believe this is especially true considering both candidates would be new to the General Assembly. The people of this district need a representative who will serve their interests in Springfield without distractions.
If elected, I will leave my current employment at Northern Illinois University, and devote my full attention to the people of the 90th District and the duties of state representative. I will not receive a salary from an employer, looking to influence votes in Springfield. My opponent has decided he can adequately serve you, the people of this district, while holding onto his current job.
We need more than just great-sounding speeches. We need a representative who will make difficult decisions. Difficult decisions require a representative who is willing to devote his full energies to understanding the legislation that will affect the lives of the people of this district in these difficult times.
Many people in this district are facing financial uncertainties regarding their retirement years. My opponent supports increasing the retirement age, increasing contributions existing public employees have to pay into their pension benefits, and replacing their pension systems with 401(k)-like plans.
The public sector employees of this district have paid into their pension plans. They deserve a representative in Springfield who will fight for them during their retirement years.
Promises were made. Promises must be kept. The state has a constitutional obligation to fulfill those promises. If elected, I will keep this promise.
At a time when many Illinoisans are unemployed, or underemployed, legislators in Springfield need to be creative and flexible in helping create jobs in the state. My opponent has come out against the expansion of gaming in the state. My opponent sided with Gov. Quinn in opposition of a bill that would have created jobs for many Illinoisans and added state revenues. I would have supported this much-needed creation of jobs.
I trust women to make their own reproductive decisions. My opponent would deny a woman’s choice to abortion, even in the cases of rape, incest and danger to the woman’s health. I know women who have had to make those difficult decisions. Those tremendously difficult decisions must be left to women and their doctors, not legislators in Springfield.
Despite the efforts of my opponent’s campaign to eliminate choice by trying to keep me off of the ballot, this November you will have a choice. You will be able to choose between two candidates with very different ideas. It’s important that you exercise that right to vote for the candidate that most reflects your interests. I ask for your support and your vote. Thank you.
