Attorney General Candidate

Questions & Answers

What is the importance of the Illinois Attorney General to your constituents in Champaign County?

The people of Champaign County and Illinois overall deserve a strong, independent, principled advocate. As a candidate for Attorney General, I bring a lifetime of advocacy and a record of producing real results.

It is crucial to continue the legacy of Lisa Madigan in the areas of consumer protection, environmental protection, immigration rights, crime victim advocacy, and standing up for labor and working families. In particular, we need to continue to focus on fighting predatory lending to students and take a stand against the efforts of Betsy Devos to protect our students. In particular, on campus our students also need to be uniquely protected from sexual assault and gun violence. We also need to provide increased access to justice and protection for survivors of domestic violence.

Now, more than ever, we need to explore expanding the role of the office. Resources need to be provided to effectively address criminal justice reform, gun violence, public corruption, and the opioid crisis. Legislation is also needed to strengthen the office's role in fighting sexual harassment. As the top law enforcement official in the State of Illinois, I will be a fierce advocate calling for necessary changes to protect survivors and end a cycle of abuse. These actions will include a push for Springfield to amend the Human Rights Act to apply to all employers, regardless of size. On behalf of the people of our State, I will sue to enforce the laws to stop repeated discrimination and harassment, and seek the maximum penalties possible.

In light of the direction of the current President and his administration, the Attorney General’s Office will also need to continue to expand its collaborative efforts with other states’ Attorneys General in stopping his attempts to diminish human and civil rights, the very fundamental rights on which our democracy is built.

Why are you qualified to be Illinois Attorney General?

As a two-term Mayor and mother of four sons, I know how to get things done. As a Mayor, I have seven years of experience in the executive branch of government: creating and administering large, complex budgets, identifying priorities, working with hundreds of employees, and representing the short- and long-term needs and interests of my constituents.

During my first term as Mayor, I shook up City Hall with a major reform of city government that resulted in increased transparency, accountability, collaboration, and ethics. I emphasized creating a culture that regained the trust of our residents and employees. I have represented resident interests and advocated on their behalf. I’ve led fights against powerful special interests such as polluters, the NRA, and local utilities. In addition, I am the founder and acting chair of a local legal aid clinic that specializes in immigration, domestic violence, and housing, ensuring access to justice in emergent situations.

As an attorney, I practiced healthcare law with McDermott Will & Emery, fighting fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry. Prior to law school and my law practice, I got an MBA and worked in finance at General Motors. I bring a background in business and law as well as thirteen years of experience as an independent public servant.

As Mayor, I am responsible for ensuring due process for residents in connection with meetings and Council actions, as well as compliance with the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act. I have prioritized accessibility and accountability, implemented improved ethics guidelines for elected and appointed officials, and have been a champion for improved transparency at City Hall and among other government bodies.

I bring to the role of Attorney General decades of experience as an advocate: working on access to healthcare, creating an environmental advocacy training program for public school students, serving on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, advising parents of school children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and more. I know how to identify an issue, assess alternative solutions, pull together resources and bring about collaboration for impactful results.

What is a key policy difference between you and your Primary Opponent[s]?

Our state and our country are in crisis. An effective Attorney General must have proven experience in identifying opportunities for advocacy, defining solutions, pulling together resources, and taking action. I have always had the courage to stand up for what is right. After nearly nine years in elected office, I know what it takes to represent my constituents: a willing ear, a fair assessment, and honest, responsive action.

As a two-term Mayor, I have served in executive office, balancing seven budgets and maintaining a Aaa bond rating, but also passing one of the only assault weapon bans in the State of Illinois; taking on a major utility company; protecting our environment; founding a legal aid clinic to provide access to justice in immigration, housing and domestic violence matters; supporting and enacting inclusive legislation; and increasing government transparency, accountability and ethics. As a community volunteer, I have decades of experience promoting access to health care and reproductive choice, taking action against sexual harassment, supporting mental health care, and improving access to human services.

Is there anything else you would like to say to an undecided voter in Champaign County?

It has never been more important to have an independent, principled, and effective leader serving as Attorney General, for the sake of both our state and our nation. I am fighter who will bring a lifetime of advocacy and a record of producing results to the Attorney General’s office. I am unafraid to take on extremists in Washington and Springfield. I have always been and will continue to serve as an advocate for the people and know how to use the tools available: persuasiveness for new legislation, education to empower the public, and a willingness to take legal action where warranted.

Northside Democracy For America, a group from Chicago, hosted a Forum featuring all Democrat Candidates Running for Illinois Attorney General.

Watch the full video: here.