Our state is falling apart, but our state government is paralyzed by partisan bickering instead of solving problems. Things are working just fine for the wealthy and powerful special interests, but the rest of us are left behind. It’s time for a comeback. We have a real plan to put people above special interests, to create long-term solutions for our budget crisis, and to make Illinois a better place to earn a living and raise a family. THE GAME PLAN Our agenda has five central components. Within each component, we’ve laid out a game plan for moving the state forward, and we’ve chosen one bill to highlight and prioritize this legislative session. The principles that follow are longer term goals. Fixing the Budget Vital services like schools, roads, healthcare, and safety are starving for resources while greedy corporations and the ultra-rich game the system for big tax breaks. Fixing the tax structure will stabilize our budget for the long-term while giving most people a tax cut. Priority Legislation: SJRCA 1 — Amends the Illinois Constitution by removing the flat tax provision which would allow us to create a fairer tax structure. Principles • Big corporations shouldn’t get huge tax breaks from the state that aren’t available to small businesses • Stock market income shouldn’t be taxed at a vastly lower rate than income from working a job • The highest earners should pay more than working people and the poor to stabilize our budget • We should expand the Earned Income Tax Credit to support low-income working families Reforming Government On the state and national level, big money interests have too much influence over our political system. We need a government that works for the people, not just the powerful. Priority Legislation: SB1424 — Reforms the campaign finance system to cap the influence of big money and magnify the voices of everyday small-dollar donors Principles • Legislative maps should be drawn fairly, to accurately represent constituents, in a way that doesn’t play politics • Politicians and state bureaucrats shouldn’t be allowed to use double- and tripledipping and salary spiking to game the pension system • Ethics rules should be strengthened to make sure those in the legislative and executive branch don’t immediately turn around and become lobbyists • Taxpayers should have the option to consolidate redundant local governments that provide duplicative services Investing in Good Illinois Jobs Our state is losing too many good jobs, and too many of the jobs we have don’t pay enough. We need to invest in putting people back to work. Priority Legislation: HB3538 — Ends the practice of corporations taking Illinois tax credits and then moving jobs out of Illinois Principles • No one should work full-time and still live in poverty; we need to make the minimum wage a living wage • No one should have to choose between caring for a sick child and losing his or her job; we need earned sick time and family leave for every worker • Women should be paid the same as men for doing the same work • The state should invest in rebuilding our infrastructure, with a focus on hiring people in communities with high unemployment and high poverty all across the state Building Great Schools for Every Student A child’s ZIP code or her parents’ income shouldn’t determine her opportunities in life. We want to invest in great schools for every child, from birth to college. Priority Legislation: HB3213 and SB1705 — Reverses Gov. Rauner’s rule that kicked lowincome parents attending college off of state-subsidized child care Principles • Quality child care and pre-K is vital in making sure every child gets off to a successful start in life, and we need to expand access to those programs • Every school district in every community deserves adequate and equitable funding • Accountability in our schools is important, but we need to reduce the burden of over-testing on our young children and teachers • Public universities and community colleges should be affordable for everyone, and students and families shouldn’t be saddled with enormous college debt Creating Healthy and Safe Communities Strong communities bring people together and provide adequate care for everyone. We must provide for people in need, protect and support the rights of people who face discrimination, and integrate people who have been marginalized. Priority Legislation: HB3421 — Ends the practice of cash bond, which keeps far too many innocent people locked up before trial because they can’t afford bail Principles • People who need mental health counseling and drug treatment should get those services instead of being left to fend for themselves or sent to prison • People who were brought to this country as children shouldn’t be deported, no matter their immigration status • Access to health care, including reproductive health, should be protected for everyone • To improve relationships between community and police, there must be more accountability for law enforcement officials who violate the public trust WHO’S BEHIND THIS? This agenda wasn't crafted by party leaders or special interests. It was created by a group of regular old rank-and-file lawmakers who have the vision to see past the partisan bickering in Springfield. Our constituents are tired of the blame, tired of the posturing. They want a real way forward for our state. We agree, so we got together and came up with a plan.