Public health is the foundation of strong, resilient communities.

In Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, we face urgent challenges, gun violence, trauma, environmental hazards, housing insecurity, and inequitable access to healthy food. I will fight in Congress to address these issues comprehensively, with a focus on prevention, equity, and community empowerment.

Gun Violence

Gun violence is a public health epidemic, and it continues to devastate neighborhoods despite Illinois’ strong state laws. I will support federal legislation to:

• Ban assault weapons, bump stocks, and high-capacity magazines.

• Raise the legal age for gun purchases to 21 and require comprehensive background checks for all gun sales, closing loopholes that allow guns to flow from states with weaker laws.

• Fund the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to study gun violence as a public health crisis, ensuring research is robust, well-resourced, and actionable.

• Support the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act, closing loopholes that allow individuals with histories of domestic abuse to obtain firearms.
  

Gun violence prevention requires both legislation and community-based strategies to protect lives and promote safety in every neighborhood.

Trauma

Trauma affects children, families, and entire communities. I will champion:

• Investments in trauma-informed education, ensuring students have access to safe and supportive learning environments.

• Flexible funding for local initiatives, allowing schools and community organizations to pilot innovative approaches to address childhood and community trauma.

• Programs that help families heal from violence, addiction, and other forms of adversity, recognizing that trauma impacts long-term health, education, and economic outcomes.

Substance Abuse as a Public Health Emergency

Addiction and substance use disorders are public health crises, not crimes. The federal war on drugs has criminalized addiction, devastated communities, and diverted resources away from prevention and treatment. As your Congresswoman, I will reframe our approach, prioritizing prevention, treatment, and recovery over incarceration.

I strongly support the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Elijah Cummings. This landmark legislation proposes $100 billion in long-term investment to states and communities most affected by the opioid crisis. It represents the kind of decisive, sustained action we need to address addiction and its ripple effects on families and communities.

Environment & Climate Health

Environmental justice is public health justice. I will act to:

• Combat climate change, sponsoring legislation to reduce pollution and mitigate extreme weather and heat events that disproportionately impact low-income communities.

• Streamline federal data collection, linking environmental conditions to health outcomes so that policies and programs address real, measurable community needs.

• Protect neighborhoods from environmental hazards like lead contamination and air pollution, with a focus on vulnerable populations and frontline communities.
  
  

Housing & Health

Safe, healthy housing is essential for physical and mental well-being. I will:

• Expand Medicaid funding to support housing-related health interventions, helping families access stable and healthy homes.

• Advance equitable housing policies, including the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, to promote desegregation and opportunity.

• Strengthen Housing Choice Voucher programs, expanding subsidies so more families can choose safe, high-quality housing without fear of displacement or overcrowding.
  

Healthy Food & Nutrition

Access to nutritious food is a basic determinant of health. I will fight to:

• Address food deserts by supporting federal tax credits and grants for full-service grocery stores in underserved communities.

• Incentivize smaller retailers to stock healthy and affordable food options.

• Expand the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, providing sustainable investment to ensure all residents have access to fresh produce and nutritious meals within walking distance.