Robert Martwick: 2024 candidate for Illinois Senate 10th District

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Illinois Senate 10th District

City: Chicago

Age: 58

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held: State Representative (2013-2019), Norridge Village Trustee (1999-2011), Norwood Park Township Trustee (1993-1997)

How should the state respond to the influx of migrants bussed here from Southern states?

I support the bipartisan federal immigration package that was killed by Donald Trump and the Republican members of congress who lacked the courage to pass the bill once it was no longer politically convenient. This is a humanitarian crisis. Human beings are walking thousands of miles with nothing but the clothes on their backs for a chance at a better life. Illinois has a moral and ethical obligation to provide care for legal asylum seekers who have been bussed here by other states. The fact that those sending the migrants lack any sense of morality or humanity is irrelevant. Since these humans have been allowed into the country legally, we should engage with the federal government and demand that our members of congress ensure that aid sent to border states is instead sent to Illinois to help defray the costs for the necessary human services we must provide.

Are you satisfied with the state's existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?

I am proud to have supported and voted for every ethics measure that has been advanced during my 12 years in the General Assembly, including measures to address campaign finances, implementing revolving door restrictions on those who leave public service and prohibiting elected officials from lobbying other elected officials. While these measures have made improvements, it is a core function of democracy to always seek additional reform. I believe that the biggest corruption occurs with the existence of federal laws which permit unlimited spending on campaigns by dark money donors whose identities and intentions are hidden from public scrutiny. These groups are prohibited from coordinating with any specific campaign, even though they so obviously violate that prohibition every single election. Illinois should enact strict rules that specify what is and is not coordination and enact punishments sufficient to deter this behavior in future election cycles.

Would you support a requirement that election petitions include a line asking candidates for their campaign email address?

Yes. Democracy functions best when there is transparency by and access to information about those serving in elected office and those seeking to serve. Throughout my career I have prided myself on being accessible and available to my constituents and members of the media. I have never refused to give comments to a reporter. I speak the truth about the legislative process and explain the legislation I have supported and the votes I have taken, even posting in depth “white board” videos to explain legislation that cannot be adequately explained in a single quote.

How well do you think criminal justice reforms made in recent years are working? What, if any, changes need to be made?

The SAFE-T act and Pre-trial Fairness Act are now a year old. Predictions of rampant crime and criminals fleeing prosecution have not come to pass. In fact, the reforms are working as intended. The recent study by Loyola University shows that defendants are showing up to court, and not committing crimes while on pre-trial release any more than under cash bond. Some of the harshest critics of the law, like DuPage County states’ attorney Bob Berlin and Will County’s James Glasgow now believe that the law is working well and our communities are safe. In the meantime, jail populations have declined noticeably. Crime has declined, our neighborhoods are safer and we have created a system that is more equitable while creating substantial savings of taxpayer dollars. While these reforms have been successful, government should always be looking toward additional reforms. Illinois must do more to recruit and retain the best officers and provide them with even more tools to solve crime.

We now have an assault weapons ban in Illinois. What if any changes should be made to the law? What more can be done to improve gun safety?

I am proud to have supported the Illinois ban on assault weapons along with many other common-sense gun safety measures that are helping to reduce gun crime in Illinois. However, the extremist positions taken by the US Supreme Court’s conservative wing has made passing common sense gun restrictions, favored by the vast majority of Americans, extremely difficult. They recently decided to allow the sale of devices that convert weapons into fully automatic machine guns. Still, the GA must continue our work and hope that sanity prevails. Firearm related deaths are now the number 1 cause of death for American children. Illinois must do what it can on the state level, including mandating safe and secure storage of firearms to reduce both accidental deaths and theft. I was proud to support the ban on ghost gun sales in Illinois, but in order to stem the flow of Illegal guns from neighboring states, we must continue to lobby our federal government to pass stronger federal laws.

Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates regular behind-the-wheel tests for senior drivers. Do you support any changes?

Data shows that senior citizen drivers are some of the safest on the road. Advances in medical science have helped people be more productive and active while living longer lives. Our laws should reflect this. I join AARP in supporting the move to raise the age of mandatory testing from 75 to 79. In order to make our roadways safer for everyone, I will continue to support laws that restrict and punish distracted and reckless driving, while also supporting technological advances in vehicle safety.

What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?

During my service I have developed a reputation for bi-partisanship and doing the work needed to pass meaningful legislation. The proof lies in the words of others. During the 2016 elections, a newspaper asked incumbents to name a legislator from the opposing party that they wanted to see return to the GA. More Republicans chose me than any other Democratic member; not because of my beliefs, but rather because of how I engage with them. I treat all of my colleagues with respect, never demonize them for their beliefs and always come prepared. During the very first passage of the bill creating an elected school board for Chicago, Republicans praised my willingness to listen and address their concerns. In this past year a Republican stated that he would give the “full Martwick,” referring to my reputation for being knowledgeable on complicated legislation. Hope for our democracy exists in bi-partisanship and I am proud that others respect my work towards that end.