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Laura Ellman's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for State Senate (IL) - District 21

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
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Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Illinois State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
d) Other or expanded principles:

Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Illinois's budget.

Yes a) Should the Illinois state government be required to pass a budget every year?
b) Do you support borrowing money from in-state vendors to pay outstanding state debts?
Yes c) Do you support using state funds to provide high speed internet to rural schools?
No d) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
No e) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
No f) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
Yes g) An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
Our tax system is broken. I do support a graduated income tax. We need to put disposable income back in the pockets of middle class folks because that drives our economy. 42 other states have a graduated income tax. Our middle class has the 3rd highest tax burden in the country. The flat tax increase disproportionately hurt working and middle class families. We need to protect the middle class, the engine of demand, and relieve everyday folks of this high burden, so we can focus on growth.
Yes a) Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
I also support term limits for legislative leaders.
No a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
No c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
No c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Illinois?
Our middle class has the 3rd highest income tax burden in the country, and we have the 2nd highest property tax burden as well. I support tax relief to strengthen the middle class and propel demand, but I also support ensuring the very wealthy pay their fair share. I also support increasing spending on public education and state universities to provide more opportunity for young people. The biggest cause of slow job growth in Illinois has been fiscal uncertainty, however. We need a strong, sustainable, long term plan to build confidence and attract investment.
Yes a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Illinois?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Illinois high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
Yes d) Do you support requiring local governments to fund teacher pensions?
I do not support any state education funding for private schools, school choice, or private charters. We've got to focus on increased funding for public education, that doesn't rely overwhelmingly on high property taxes. I also think the state needs to do much more to provide funding for schools and for pension liabilities. I think there can be some cost shift for "extra" perks negotiated by a school board, but by and large the state needs to own up to its obligations and protect homeowners from increased property taxes.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
d) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Illinois's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
Yes e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
We need to treat healthcare like a critical investment and less like a costly burden. We can improve our system to help people with the healthcare they need, when they need it. The backlogs and waitlists are a huge issue. We also need to avoid cutting corners that will cost more in the long run. My opponent has voted against contraception coverage, against healthcare for low income kids, and against coverage for reproductive care for low income women. I think that's backwards.
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Illinois's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Illinois's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Illinois state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
I am a strong proponent of equal pay for women and of LBTQ rights, both of which my opponent has voted against.
Cleaning up our fiscal mess: Creating a plan for better fiscal management to increase confidence in our state, and investing in the things that will help us grow like state universities, public education, clean energy, while holding the line on middle class taxes. Cleaning up Springfield: We need Springfield to solve problems, not accumulate power and cater to special interests. Fair Maps, campaign finance reform, limiting lobbyist influence, and term limits for legislative leadership are key to ensure a more responsive and accountable government.

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