59th District hopefuls discuss social issues
Republican Dan Sugrue, 46, an attorney from Green Oaks, is challenging incumbent Democrat Carol Sente, 49, a business owner from Vernon Hills, who was appointed state legislator in the 59th District about a year ago to replace Kathy Ryg, who resigned.
The 59th District includes portions of Buffalo Grove, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Indian Creek, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mettawa, Mundelein, Northbrook, North Chicago, Park City, Riverwoods, Vernon Hills, Waukegan and Wheeling.
What follows are the candidates' answers to a Daily Herald questionnaire. They have been edited for spelling, grammar and style.
Q. Do you oppose or support civil unions? Gay marriage? What abortion restrictions do you support? What about parental notification? Late-term abortion? Should there be controls on gun ownership? If so, what would you support?
Sugrue. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I believe in the inherent dignity of every human being from conception to natural death. Unlike my opponent, I support parental notification because a teenage girl, undergoing the emotional trauma of an unplanned pregnancy, needs the support and advice of the two people who love her more than anyone else in the world: her mother and her father. Furthermore, I do not believe the State should come between parents and their child as they sort through such an important time for their family. I am opposed to late-term abortions, and I am opposed to the State forcing Illinois taxpayers to fund abortions.
On gun rights, I agree with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Heller, which affirmed an individual right to bear arms in the 2nd Amendment. And I agree with the decision of the Supreme Court in the MacDonald case, which incorporated the 2nd Amendment to states and municipalities through the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.
Sente. I am a strong supporter of civil rights for all people and do not believe that discrimination based on sexual orientation should be tolerated. I believe that same-sex couples should have the same rights under the law as heterosexual couples when it comes to financial, medical, inheritance and death benefits.
I believe that women should have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies, and I support Roe v. Wade. I am a strong believer in thoughtful education to prevent the need for abortions. While I do not agree that abortion should be used in lieu of other birth control methods, I still believe that safe, legal abortions should be accessible to women in consultation with medical professionals. Public funding should be used to counsel women and men about birth control and all options regarding pregnancy.
Illinois' parental notification laws need to be re-evaluated. I believe that most families are blessed with open, honest and loving relationships, but not everybody is so fortunate. There are some families that are not stable. This is an important issue where a one-size-fits-all approach will not suit all situations, and I would support changing the law to allow certain nonfamily members who are responsible counselors, clergy or non-parent family members to act in the place of the parent in certain situations.
I do not believe that regular citizens should carry concealed handguns or keep assault weapons. As a gun owner, I have taken gun safety classes and been hunting with my family, and I support individuals' rights for responsible gun ownership. We have excellent police and public safety officials, and I will continue to work with them to ensure they have the tools necessary to keep our communities safe.