Nick Raftopoulos

Wages / Job Benefits I want to see us expand benefits for working Illinoisans to include paid personal and vacation time offerings for anyone working 30 or more hours each week. Wages / Job Benefits Union jobs are the backbone of our state and national economies; we need to protect them from those who seek to strip them away. Taxes / Budget I believe that we need a progressive tax code. Taxes / Budget We need to promote small businesses all across our district and state. Instead of seeing tax breaks for the Walmart’s of the world, we should offer tax incentives to encourage and help people start their own business. Education I believe in and support all levels of education. I firmly believe that too often our students are being pushed towards 4-year institutions and are not given opportunities to explore trade programs. I believe we should promote more trade classes in high schools across the district and state. Education I believe that it is fine for parents to want their children to only learn certain things, but do not agree with the concept of limiting the educational experience for other parents’ children. For all public institutions such as public schools or libraries which benefit from taxpayer dollars, speech should not be limited. Civil Rights I have, and always will, work to protect the rights of this country’s LGBTQ community. Civil Rights Civil rights is fundamental here in the United States, and I vow to always pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. Abortion / Contraception I will always work to protect and expand women’s rights, whether it be reproductive rights, funding for Planned Parenthood, or supporting equal pay for equal work.