Issues

We need a new direction!

We are enmeshed in a bloody and endless civil war in Iraq. As a result, our nation is more isolated, more hated and less secure.

Profits are at a forty-year high but wages are stagnant.


Housing costs are consuming an unsustainable share of working family budgets and forclosures are threatening more families than at any time in recent memory.

To our shame, America now ranks last in health among developed nations.

We are facing the very real consequences of global warming while energy costs have escalated out of control.

Our basic constitutional rights are being rolled back.

It’s time to set America back on course.

I've voted to protect our national security and against the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

I have been a voice to maintain our hard won constitutional rights.

I have voted consistently for economic and social justice, and to make quality education and health care accessible to all.

I have taken on racial profiling and written legislation to address the problems faced by ex-offenders returning to our communities.

I have championed the reordering our priorities to create jobs at a living wage and to protect the environment.

I have voted for tax fairness.

I have stood firm for a woman's right to choose.

I have pressed for campaign finance and election reform.

I have advocated to protect social security and medicare, and to make prescription drugs affordable for seniors.

I have sponsored legislation to give persons with disabilities options in their everyday living conditions.

Thanks for your generous support over the years.

I urge you to vote on February 5th – your vote will determine the policies of our nation for years to come.

I'm proud of my fully staffed and accessible constituent services offices.

In addition to more than 40 townhall meetings I hold each year to hear from consitituents, my offices in Chicago and Broadview are available to work with consitituents on any federal issues they may bring.

A proven process for public participation, advisory groups, task forces, town hall meetings.

Regular communication with residents of the district with newsletters, television and radio shows.

Effective legislative initiatives and proposals including:

Access to Jobs Amendment, American Community Renewal Act/New Markets Initiative, Business Link Program, Public Safety Ex-Offender Self Sufficiency Act.

Bold program initiatives including:

Home ownership through the With Ownership Wealth (WOW) program, Curfew Awareness , Health Education and Prevention drives.

Leadership on issues including:

Child welfare, poverty reduction, funding for health care, ex-offender re-entry, criminal justice reform, TANF, affordable housing development, environmental protection, diversity, affirmative action, small business development, civil rights protection, worker rights.