JUDITH-RAE Ross for State Rep (Illinois General Assembly)

Background:

Twenty-one years elected official; Nineteen years Lecturer DePaul University, Dept. of History, Tutor Athletic Advising Department, 50+ publications; Ten years Community Action Agency experience; Secretary Community Financial Development Institution. Selected for Who's Who in America, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Who's Who in American Education, and Keys Who's Who in Humanitics Higher Education.

Goals:

The Federal Government has moved away from the goals of the New Deal, and State Government must assume the role of protector of the public good. State legislators must think outside the box, while continuing to represent their constituents.

The current State Representative is a Republican in a gerrymandered Democratic district who neither represents the constituents' or the district's values well, nor is capable of the flexibility that our times demand. My background and experience enables me to meet the challenges of state governance in this new era. My political service will insure that I best serve my constituents. Once in office I'll fight for education, senior citizens, health care (including reproductive rights), and small business development for our community.

Issues:

Education
Senior Citizen's Rights
Health Care

Grassroots Support:

The grassroots is essential to our success. I am a member of the Evanston/North Shore DFA group and recognize the importance of grassroots action and involvement in any campaign. To illustrate how we are using grassroots support, local DFA linkups have already committed to kick off our issues canvass in May. They will continue to participate in canvassing, Voter ID and GOTV efforts until the election. Local DFA leaders are key to our campaign team. We cannot win without the grassroots!

DFA Values:

To be socially progressive, you have to be fiscally responsible. As an elected trustee, I was the architect of a 25% tax cut when our township reserves grew dramatically. But then I'm not afraid of revenue increases when they are called for. As a township trustee, I made sure that progressive causes (eg, child care, mental health institutions, food pantry) were funded, even when times were tight. Budgets are values statements, and how we spend our money, especially with regard to our most threatened constituents, reflects our nation's values.