Name: Jeanette Ward
Position for which you are a candidate:
Illinois Senate District 25
Why are you seeking this position?
-I’m running to defend life, liberty, sound fiscal policy, parental freedom, and the 2nd Amendment. I’ll focus briefly on fiscal policy & life.
-Fiscal policy: Illinois needs pension reform and ethics reform. While we must keep our promises to those who are near retirement age, we must move new hires to a defined contribution system. Ethics reform should include restrictions on state legislators becoming lobbyists, among other reforms.
-Life: We need to promote a culture of life in Illinois. We can disagree on the abortion issue, but no one should be forced to pay for another person’s choice.
-As an elected school board member on the largest elected school board in Illinois, I did what I promised. I voted no on increasing tax levies and budgets and promoted a culture of life.
What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
From 2015-2019, I represented the community as an unpaid School Board member for the largest elected school board in Illinois. During my term, I fought for many of the issues for which my constituents elected me to represent them, such as opposing the deconstruction of biological differences between men and women in access to private spaces and sports participation, better curriculum that avoids the presentation of one side of an issue as opposed to a full discussion of ideas to promote critical thinking, strongly opposing a fellow board member who stated that the American Flag was nothing more than toilet paper (who set a poor example of citizenship for our students), fiscal oversight of taxpayers’ money, and the first charter school in the district offering parents education choice.
What will be your highest priorities if elected?
-Pension Reform: Illinois has anywhere from $137 billion to $250 billion, depending upon the rating agency, in unfunded pension liability. While we must keep our promises to those who are near retirement age, we must also change our defined benefit system to a defined contribution system and ensure that double and triple dipping is ended.
-Repeal the Reproductive Health Act: Illinois Senate District 25 residents do not support allowing abortion for all nine months of pregnancy – even those who support abortion want reasonable restrictions.
-Ethics Reform: Effective ethics reform in Illinois should include restrictions on state legislators becoming lobbyists, and expansion of the Economic Interest statement to disclose theirs and their family member’s financial involvements, among others.
Will you attend the February 19th Elgin Candidate Forum? Yes, I will attend the forum
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