What Will Bethany Fight For?
Real Consequences for These Fascist Republicans in Washington and Their Foot Soldiers in ICE
Federal Law Enforcement Officers who have worn or will wear face coverings while performing their duties need to be fired. They need to lose all benefits of their so called “service” to this country including their pensions.
When Democrats hold power again we must hold investigations, we must know who these people were, they must be shamed publicly, and they must face legal consequences for their horrific actionsLess Money for the Military and More Money for Schools and Hospitals
We need to make sure our Veterans get what we promised them, but we also need to reduce the military budget and put that money into schools and hospitals. Our country has an enormous military war machine. However, we seem to be told time and time again that there is no money for healthcare or for Universal Pre-K. That has got to change if we want to build a country that works for everyone and cares for everyone.
End the Genocide in Gaza and Stop Weapons Sales and Shipments to Israel
Israel has a right to exist and should exist. However, the Palestinian people deserve to be able to live their lives in peace as well. I will be a loud voice for the people of Palestine. This cannot continue in our names. The senseless murder of children should have been an immediate wake up call to our leaders in Washington, but it is clear that the money made by defense contractors and the ghoulish hatred of the Palestinian people has become the focus of so many - nearly all of the Republican Party and also many in the Democratic Party. It must stop.
More Money for Medicaid and Medicare. And a Real Fight for Universal Healthcare
Bethany grew up wearing welfare glasses, and not being able to go to the doctor. Even now with health insurance, she and her husband struggle with the cost of healthcare. She has friends who rely on Medicaid for home healthcare who she assists in their day to day lives. She knows how hard it is, and she knows it has to change. She will fight to stop members of Congress from having Federally Funded Health Insurance for the remainder of their lives. Congress doesn’t fight for healthcare for America, but members of Congress don’t have to worry about it themselves. That has to change. If America doesn’t have Universal Healthcare, Members of Congress shouldn’t either.
We Must Raise Taxes on the Rich
This is a hard fight because of the amount of money in politics and the overwrought influence that the wealthy have on our lawmakers. Bethany was raised to call working men and women “Mr. and Mrs.” and the wealthy by their first name. People don’t deserve extra attention or respect because they have wealth. They do have an extra responsibility to fund the government and infrastructure of this country that gave them the opportunity to become wealthy.
Stop Using Illinois to Fund Red States
States like Illinois are currently footing the bills for states like Alabama and Missouri. That must stop. Red States cannot manage to create good policy, and then Blue States like Illinois have their Federal Tax dollars used for Federal programs that subsidize the idiocy of those Red States.
We need to work to keep that money in Illinois so the State of Illinois can improve itself instead of it being rerouted to states like Arkansas that can’t tie their own shoes.
As Bethany’s father used to say, “Tough titty said the kitty, but the milk’s run dry.”
Stop Hurting Queer People or You Catch These (Legislative) Hands
Bethany played full contact women’s roller derby in early 2010’s as an open trans woman. Nobody cared. Bethany often used the girl’s bathroom in high school while she was bulimic in the 90’s. Nobody cared. Well, nobody but those kids who beat the crap out of her. Republicans have found a group to drum up hate around. And when you send Bethany to the House of Representatives, she will turn the other cheek if Nancy Mace or Marjorie Taylor Greene attack her in a bathroom. But after that cheek turn she will take no more abuse. People need a fighter, and that’s Bethany.
Keep Our Constituent Services Office Open to the Public
For over a year and a half, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s constituent services office has remained closed to the public without appointment. While she has long enjoyed popularity in our district, this lack of accessibility is simply unacceptable.
One of the most essential duties of a U.S. Representative is to ensure that constituents have direct support with federal agencies—whether it's resolving issues with disability benefits, Social Security, veterans' services, or immigration matters. A local office that is "appointment only" fails to meet that obligation and does a disservice to the people of this district.
As your Representative, I would make constituent services a top priority. I will ensure that our local office is open, accessible, and staffed primarily by skilled social workers—professionals uniquely equipped to assist people in crisis or navigating complex systems. We will also include at least one attorney to support constituents with legal issues related to federal programs, and we’ll seek to bring on law student interns from local universities to extend our capacity even further.
The community deserves better. And I am committed to delivering it.