Laurie Parman: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 66

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: Illinois House District 66

City: Sleepy Hollow

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired teacher

Previous offices held: None

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

There is an agreed upon social contract between the citizens of any state, and their elected officials. That contract includes citizens who pay their taxes, obey the laws of the state, and in return, the state will use those funds in the best interests of those citizens, while legislating in the best interests of those citizens.

There is a growing belief among Illinoisans that their hard earned tax dollars are being spent in the interests of noncontributing migrants to the injury of the citizens.

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?

The standards are quite extensive, and well spelled out for legislators. There are adequate remedies for actual innocent breaches due to the great volume of regulations.

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

No. The petitions are already lengthy for citizens to fill out. Citizens may not be willing to sign a petition due to the intrusion of having to submit yet more information about themselves.

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

While reports of crime are down, crime is not down. When crime is not addressed, we are building a stronger strain of criminals. Policies that eliminate penalties for crimes committed by persons under age 15 do a great disservice to younger lawbreakers.

These younger lawbreakers who learn early that crime doesn't pay may, be spared a life of crime if caught and punished.

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?

In these cases where people die at the hands of sick individuals with assault rifles, there have been chances within systems to stop these individuals.

I believe that schools and businesses should have multiple layers of communication regarding the individuals who are most likely to commit these crimes. I support resource officers in schools, and making sure laws already on the books are followed.

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

I believe these laws are too strict on older drivers. The statistics do not support these strict regulations on this population. Of all categories, older drivers have the fewest accidents. They do not travel far, usually wanting only to go to the store for essentials, and they do not text and drive as a general practice. I would be willing to revisit this if statistics warrant another look.

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

I have worked in the public school system for 30 years. I have been a department chair, interim assistant principal. I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. My dissertation topic was “Evaluating Safety Systems for Large Midwestern School Systems.” I have taught District 300 teachers how to develop Teacher Driven Safety Teams. I know how to work with individuals with whom I disagree, and create excellent outcomes.