I understand what working families are going through right now because I experienced the struggles firsthand. I’m the daughter of a single mother who worked two jobs to raise us, often double shifts. She would clip every coupon, and maybe our dinner was tuna fish casserole with chips on top, but she always kept food on the table. I remember how my brother and I needed braces, and she worked for months to be able to afford to provide that for us. Every dollar mattered.

That’s how it is for many working families right now. Every dollar matters. That’s why my husband and I started Barrington Children’s Charities, to help struggling families in our community. For over 14 years we have worked with our local school district to provide meals for children struggling with food insecurity at home—from pre-k all the way through high school. We partner with Smile Illinois to bring mobile dental units to underserved communities. We even provide glasses and mental health services, including counselors in our middle schools and high school. We are making a demonstrable impact in the lives of families and children.

I stepped up to serve as State Senator because I want to continue fighting for working families and help make your lives better.

I am working to reduce the cost of childcare. I voted to lower the cost of prescription drugs and lower healthcare costs. As energy rates skyrocket, I am fighting to reduce utility bills. I voted to end junk fees. I am working to reduce unfunded mandates so we can lower property taxes and help families afford their homes. And I am championing affordable education, including community college and career and technical education.

I have voted against every tax increase. I voted against the latest tax-and-spend budget, which raised spending to a record high $55.2 billion, funded by yet another billion dollars in tax increases on Illinois families. I voted no when Springfield politicians hiked their own pay for the 7^th time since 2019. I worked to help stop a regressive $1.50 tax on nearly every delivery, new service taxes on everything from home repair to daycare, and a mom-and-pop tax targeting small businesses, all to fund a bailout of Brandon Johnson’s CTA. And as a local elected official, I have voted every year to hold the line on property taxes.

Another way we can help working families is improving the Illinois economy by supporting small businesses so we can bring good-paying jobs to our communities. I want to make Illinois a business-friendly state with opportunities for all, especially our young people who are starting their careers and looking for a place to put down their roots and start their families.

Everyone agrees it is too expensive to live in Illinois right now. It’s time we put aside the political agendas and partisan games and focused on helping working families.