Sente talks about her first days in the state House
When state Sen. Terry Link, leader of the Democratic Party in Lake County, called Vernon Hills resident Carol Sente and asked if she wanted to serve in the state House, no one was more surprised than Sente herself.
Sente, then a member of the Vernon Hills Park District board, didn't appear on the various public shortlists of candidates considered potential replacements for state Rep. Kathy Ryg, who resigned in August to lead a children's advocacy group.
But it was Sente who, in mid-September, was announced as Ryg's successor in the 59th District.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue my work to help others on a much larger scale," said Sente, who owns an architectural firm.
Sente talked to the Daily Herald about her early experiences as a lawmaker less than two months into her tenure. Her answers follow.
Q. What advice did your predecessor give you before you took office?
A. As I meet constituents, I continually hear, "Kathy was wonderful and she did a great job in the role." Kathy's advice to me was be yourself, honor your values, work hard and one size does not fit all, so learn how to fill this role in a way that works for you. This is great advice that I plan to live by.
Q. You're the newest member of the state House. Where do you sit? Who's your deskmate? What have you talked about?
A. I sit on the left side of the House floor three rows from the back, with state Rep Karen May (a Highland Park Democrat) to my right and Naomi Jakobsson (an Urbana Democrat) to my left. Everyone has been warm and welcoming, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, relatively new or seasoned. We've talked about everything from how to be a great public servant, current bills, finding my way around the Capitol and the Stratton Building, and learning from each other.
Q. So far in your tenure, the House hasn't been in session much. What have you discussed? Are you preparing any legislation yet, or are you just trying to learn how things work in the Capitol?
A. The House has been in session for two weeks during October, and the main focus has been on accepting or overriding the governor's vetoes of legislation that has previously passed both chambers. This involves a very interesting debate on what exactly are the governor's veto powers under the state constitution, and whether he should be able to make changes to legislation.
I am working hard to learn as much as I can about the legislative process. I am currently working on drafting my first piece of legislation, which focuses on protecting children from sex offenders at local street festivals. There is a lot of work that goes into making a bill. I am happy that I have been able to get the process started on this legislation so I can learn all of the steps firsthand.
Q. What's been the number one issue constituents have contacted you about?
A. Government reform and economic concerns are the two most frequently mentioned constituent issues. These are global, multidimensional issues, and so my plan is to identify some of the key concerns within each issue through a series of constituent outreach approaches like citizen advisory committees, town hall meetings, coffee-shop stops, walking door to door and tours of local businesses where I will carefully listen and take notes.
Q. Who was the first person or organization to lobby your vote?
A. The first person to lobby my vote was Christine Gentes, executive director of the Lake County Municipal League. She wanted me to sponsor (legislation) allowing local government additional control of state funds to improve roadways within their community. I like the idea of control being held where it should be, at the lowest responsible level.