Laura Faver Dias: 2022 candidate for Illinois House District 62

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Illinois House District 62

City: Grayslake

Age: 42

Occupation: Small business owner

Previous offices held: Grayslake Village Trustee

Q&A

Q: What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? What is your position on term limits in general and for legislative leaders specifically?

A: I support measures and reforms that make the legislature and process more accessible and understandable to everyday people. For example, increased livestreams of public debates, speeches, and votes for constituents to hear on their phones, tablets, TVs, and radios.

We need to replace apathy with activism and ensure that Illinoisans are as engaged in state politics as they are federal (if not more). The legislature and elected officials should make communicating grants, rebates, and opportunities a priority to all groups of people in a way that is easy and accessible to them. For example, CEJA which offers tax rebates for electric vehicles for people with low incomes.

I believe that the people should always be responsible for electing their representation, with as few institutional barriers or limits on that process as possible. Among those elected, however, I do believe that term limits on leadership would foster a more democratic and diverse style of legislating.

Q: Federal assistance has enabled the state to make important advances toward improving its budget. What will you do to ensure these advances continue when the federal aid is gone?

A: Federal aid and grants allow for actions similar to those available under increases in tax revenue. The Inflation Reduction Act offers great support for the transition away from COVID-era federal aid and relief. Additionally, we need to ensure that corporate tax loopholes are closed.

We can also continue attracting new business to our state. In Lake County, CLC is beginning investment of a $900,000 award, manufacturing facilities are expanding, and a wave of life science start-ups have arrived. This economic success is largely due to strategic investment in local talent, beginning in the primary education system.

We need to capitalize on the growing EV industry and continue data driven incentives to attract businesses along the entire supply chain. Illinois has a highly skilled workforce and even an advanced battery research program at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont. Illinois should work to be a leader in economic development in the fast growing green technology sector.

Q: To what extent are you happy or unhappy with the evidence-based model for education funding now in place in Illinois? How would you define "adequate" state funding for Illinois schools and what will you do to promote that?

A: As a former public school teacher, and parent of young children, I am passionate about the evidence-based funding formula. I have seen public education inequities firsthand; moving to the evidence-based model was a positive start to eliminating these inequities and reducing the funding burden on local property tax payers.

School funding in Illinois has historically been based on local property taxes, which has created huge inequalities in our public schools. As a country, we pride ourselves on the American Dream: people can start with nothing and achieve anything they want to. I believe that is only possible if every child has access to a high-quality public education.

The percentage that the state funds education has increased from 24.4% in 2017 to 27% in 2022. This has made a difference in some of our least funded school districts, but we must continue to increase funding that the state provides our school districts which will also lessen the burden on local property tax owners.

Q: Do you believe elections in Illinois are free and fair? What changes, if any, are needed regarding election security and voter access?

A: I believe that elections in Illinois are free and fair. I was thrilled to see the legislature officially declare Election Day a state holiday and require the day off school and two hours paid time off to go vote, within reasonable limits. Although data is somewhat difficult to follow given election-to-election changes, there's been a recent national trend of voting location consolidation. We must ensure that all communities have easy, economical options for voting regardless of socioeconomic status. Offering free public transit rides on Election Day, as done in cities like Dallas and Tampa, is something Illinois should consider for the Chicago metropolitan area too.

Q: How well has Illinois responded to Supreme Court indications that it considers abortion, gay marriage and other social issues to be state, not federal, responsibilities? What if anything needs to be done in these areas and what would you do to make your vision come to pass?

A: Illinois leaders were warning of changes to long-standing reproductive rights even before the SCOTUS leak. They recognized that for abortion access in particular, our state was soon going to become an island in the Midwest. I have been impressed with the proactive approach that has allowed clinics and hospitals to prepare for a greater influx of patients, longer wait times, and staff shortages. As other states begin to prosecute women for making decisions about their own bodies, Illinois must explore legal protections for out-of-staters who enter our state for safe abortion advice and procedures.

I have confidence that other social issues coming under attack, such as gay marriage, will be protected in Illinois under Democratic leadership. We must continue to emphasize our acceptance of all people,

regardless of who they love, and ensure that LGBTQ+ communities are protected from violence or attacks - both inside and outside the legislature.