Across the 6th District, there is one common issue too many people share: the rising cost of housing. Rent and utilities in Chicago have increased by 28% since 2000, while wages have only grown by 9% in that same period. 

As a homeowner in the district, I am deeply concerned about the rising cost of living. I love living here, and we should all be able to live in the communities we love without the fear of being priced out. The demand is certainly there—I’ve seen the lines of people trying to get an apartment in Lakeview—but the supply hasn’t kept up. We need to build more housing. As your State Senator, I will work to:

• Stop price gouging by corporate landlords, some of whom do not even live in Chicago, so we can protect our neighbors from displacement.

• Eliminate barriers to building affordable housing, including allowing the construction of Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), duplexes, and other multi-family units so that supply can keep up with the growing demand our community faces.

• Make structural reforms to the state’s approach to property tax assessment, so that assessments do not blind-side property owners, leaving them frustrated by rising property taxes.

• Ban parking minimums so developers can prioritize housing and plan for people, not cars.

More people take public transportation to work in our district than any other part of the state. 

Still, we face major challenges. With four transit agencies (the CTA, Metra, Pace, and the Regional Transit Authority) and a lack of coordination between them, commuters have faced years of ghost buses, train delays, and poor service. At the same time, more Chicagoans are biking than ever before. 

We need to reevaluate our priorities when it comes to transportation. It’s not enough to just repave roads and add lanes like we did decades ago - it’s time we do something new to increase efficiency and expand options for all our neighbors. As someone who doesn’t own a car and is an avid cyclist, this is personal for me. Transit should be affordable, efficient, clean, and safe. My transit priorities in the State Senate will include:

• Modernization and streamlining of our transit agencies, so that they are working in collaboration rather than against each other.

• Increased and improved bus (including Bus Rapid Transit) and train service, so that commuters do not have to worry about being “ghosted” by the CTA;

• Convening the City, State, and local stakeholders to prioritize adding a dedicated bus lane to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

• Increasing funding to transit outreach programs for those who are homeless or in crisis.

• Protection of cyclists by supporting the City of Chicago in building concrete-protected bike lanes and strengthening the city’s cycling grid.

I've been building coalitions for a long time. Right now, we have a president who pits people against each other and encourages hate and division. I’m running to bring people together and help build people up—no matter where they live, who they love, or where they were born. We need a positive vision for the future and that involves partnership and collaboration. 

Last year, I was pepper-balled by ICE, and we need Democrats to fight harder. I support abolishing ICE and imposing the strictest laws statewide to fight back against federal overreach.

When I worked for Congresswoman Marie Newman, I ran her interfaith coalition bringing together Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim leaders. We had an actual Nazi running for Congress against us, and I am proud to have been a part of a team that has fought (and beaten!) antisemitism.

As your State Senator, I will fight to:

• Work alongside our federal delegation to abolish ICE.

• Ban ICE agents from holding state employment and requiring them to have badges and name plates displayed.

• Mirror an Oregon proposal to authorize the state to temporarily withhold state-controlled payments it owes the federal government, such as Medicaid-related repayments, contractual payments to federal agencies, or penalties owed by state agencies. This legislation could take effect if/when a federal court has ruled the federal government is unlawfully withholding funds from Illinois and has failed to comply with that order.

• Ban Illinois and all local governments from contracting with, renewing contracts with, or providing law enforcement support for federal civil immigration detention, and require termination of any existing agreements at the earliest possible date. This would build on a bill recently passed in New Mexico.

• Pass legislation to restore peaceful advocacy, reduce the impact of national politics at the state level, and protect organizations that push for an end to war and senseless killings.

• Protect peaceful protest rights, including at college campuses and public buildings.

• Advocate at the federal level alongside our congressional delegation for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to genocide.

I am a proud product of public schools. Growing up in Orland Park, I had access to excellent teachers, small class sizes, after-school programs (like marching band and theater), and a school system that was inclusive and welcoming. But not every child in Illinois has those same opportunities. Today, a student’s zip code still determines the quality of their education, and that’s unacceptable.

That’s why I believe we must fully fund Illinois’ Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula until every district reaches adequacy—including CPS. Advocates like Advance Illinois have shown that three out of four Illinois students still attend underfunded schools, and they are calling for at least $550 million more each year to close the gap faster. I agree. Incremental funding is progress, but our kids can’t wait decades for the resources they need right now.

At the same time, I am thinking about even bolder reforms. Other states like Michigan and Ohio have experimented with moving away from property-tax dependence toward funding models that put students first. Illinois should be exploring these options too—and I am committed to bringing those conversations to the forefront.

K-12 Priorities

• Inclusive curricula: Fully funding programs that bring Asian-American history, LGBTQ+ history, and other inclusive learning into classrooms—and making sure these mandates are backed with state resources, not just unfunded promises.

• Safe routes to school: I’ve joined “bike buses” at Nettelhorst and seen firsthand how important safe routes are. State capital dollars should go toward dedicated bike lanes and safe streets, making it safer for kids, parents, and neighbors to get to and from school.

• Modern school facilities: Some schools in our district are more than 100 years old. With my background in trauma-informed design and building inclusive spaces, I will push for state capital funding to renovate our facilities and give our kids the resources and amenities needed for a quality education.

• Phone restrictions: I support the recent legislative efforts to limit cellphone use during instructional time in classrooms. While the bill did not pass in the spring 2025 session, I believe that reducing distractions can enhance student focus and engagement.

• AI in education: With the rapid advancement of technology, it’s crucial to address the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in our classrooms. A December 2024 state task force report highlighted the need for clear guidelines on AI usage to ensure ethical and effective integration into education. I am committed to supporting policies that provide educators with the necessary tools and training to navigate this evolving landscape responsibly.

While I’m a product of public schools, I have also earned degrees from Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University, and I know firsthand the weight of student debt and the anxiety of deciding which bills to pay each month. Higher education should be a stepping stone, not a financial burden.

That’s why I am committed to making public colleges and universities tuition-free for all Illinois students. Every child who works hard and wants to continue their education should have access — regardless of their family’s income.

But access alone isn’t enough. We also need to support a robust ecosystem of workforce training, job readiness programs, and organized labor partnerships.

Higher Education

• Career and technical education: Invest in community colleges and vocational programs that provide hands-on skills and certifications in growing industries, from health care, to AI, to green energy.

• Labor partnerships: Collaborate with unions and worker organizations to ensure students not only gain technical skills, but also understand their rights and have access to strong, fair-paying job opportunities after graduation.

• Elected boards: Now that Chicago has its first elected school board, I want to see City Colleges of Chicago also have an elected board. Students, faculty, and families deserve direct representation in decision-making—especially since Community College District 508 is the largest community college district in Illinois.

Nationally, 70% of adults say the health care system fails to meet their needs in at least one way. Illinois is no exception to this trend and health care coverage impacts all Illinoisans. Illinois ranks 23rd in the U.S. for state health system performance. 51% of adults with a mental illness in Illinois did not receive treatment and 10.6% of adults went without care due to the cost.

Most Illinoisans agree reform is needed to a system which is out of sync with modern-day realities. We need a State Senator who is not satisfied with the status quo of health care coverage in the State and fights for increased protections across our district. As your State Senator, I will prioritize:

• Protecting Medicaid from threats by the Trump Administration so that millions of Illinoisans do not lose critical coverage.

• Reining in exorbitant prescription drug costs by investing in creating a prescription drug affordability board, so that Illinois has proper oversight on the rising costs of medication people need to live.

• Increasing availability of mental health care, by preventing insurance companies from requiring prior authorization and utilization management controls for behavioral health services.

• Advocating at the federal level alongside our congressional delegation for universal health care.

Climate change impacts all of us, and we are nearly out of time to address it. Climate justice must be at the core of every policy—transportation, housing, public health, and economic development. 

Now is the time to go even further and faster. Our greatest natural asset—Lake Michigan—is at risk from rising lake levels, extreme weather, dangerous chemicals in wastewater, and the volume of water needed for emerging technologies like AI. As State Senator, I will:

• Enact a statewide ban on toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” found in makeup, clothing, and infant products to protect our water, air, and health.

• Collaborate across local, state, and federal levels to upgrade water and energy infrastructure, ensuring it's resilient, sustainable, and capable of supporting emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI, which require stable, clean energy and advanced cooling systems.

• Increase state investment in CTA and Metra to expand service, reliability, and accessibility, which will reduce the reliance on private vehicles, cut carbon emissions, and create green union jobs in the process.

• Prioritize funding for public buildings like schools, libraries, and government buildings to renovate for energy efficiency and sustainability, while involving community feedback in planning for the future.

As a community organizer, I worked with reproductive rights organizations like Planned Parenthood and Personal PAC to pass the most progressive legislation that expanded access to abortion in Illinois.

Through close coordination with nearly 1,000 volunteers across the state, conversations with state legislators, and collaboration with partner groups, we expanded abortion and safeguarded access for millions of Midwesterners. Still, there remains so much work to do to guarantee everyone has the ability to access medical care no matter where they live. As your State Senator, I will:

• Advance a state constitutional amendment to explicitly protect the right to abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, and gender-affirming care as fundamental rights.

• Expand Medicaid to cover all reproductive health services, including abortion (already covered through state law), contraception, IVF, and gender-affirming care.

• Build on Illinois’ Shield Law that protects abortion providers and patients from legal risks if they are helping someone from a state where abortion is banned, and expand protections to volunteers, rideshare drivers, and friends or family helping someone obtain care.

The attack on the LGBTQ+ community by Donald Trump and his cronies is personal. As someone who is openly gay, I know the vulnerability that comes with this, and I am running to protect the countless individuals under threat by this rogue White House. While Illinois is a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, we have work to do. When elected, I would be only the second openly gay state senator and the first to represent the Boystown neighborhood. I will work to:

• Ban the use of prior authorization for HIV treatment and prevention so that people can have the care that they deserve without interference from multi-billion dollar health insurance companies.

• Ensure Illinois remain a pioneer for progressive legislation—especially efforts to protect trans folks—by decriminalizing sex work between consenting adults so that, rather than fearing criminalization, sex workers can receive the health and legal supports they need in dangerous situations.

• Protect LGBTQ+ families and parents so that they can raise their children with the same dignity and respect as everyone else.

While Donald Trump threatens to run for an unconstitutional third term and his Republican minions seek to strip voting rights, we cannot have leaders who sit on the sidelines. It is time for a new generation of leadership to help make Illinois the standard bearer of upholding democratic rights and principles. As your State Senator, I will push to:

• Bring Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to state elections.

• Establish a public-funding program for state campaigns, so that corporate interests and mega-donors do not have an outsized role in our state’s elections process.

• Enact term limits for all state legislators to ensure new voices and new ideas have a seat at the table.

I am committed to an approach that prioritizes community well-being and ensures that our officers are equipped to serve effectively. While violent crime in Chicago is down, the 6th District continues to face challenges—particularly for our small businesses—that require a thoughtful, community-centered response. As your State Senator, I will:

• Push for the implementation of new models of policing that give sworn officers more time to patrol their beats while sending non-sworn civilians and mental health professionals to respond to incidents involving individuals in crisis, ensuring appropriate care and support.

• Convene with Police District Councils and other public safety agencies around best practices and emerging research, ensuring that Chicago’s Police Department can adapt to crime trends while centering equity and justice to build community trust.

• Expand funding for community-led violence interruption programs and trauma-informed services, while implementing stronger oversight on gun dealers, mandating safe storage laws, and addressing the root causes of gun violence from a public health perspective.