Tracy Katz Muhl: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 57

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Illinois House District 57

City: Northbrook

Age: 48

Occupation: State Representative; Attorney

Previous offices held: Northbrook School District 28 Board of Education, Member 2015-23, President 2017-23; Northfield Township Democratic Committeeperson, 2018 to present

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

We need federal immigration reform that reduces wait times for background screening, arrival permits, and work papers. Economic migrants are willing and able to work, just like so many of our parents and grandparents did under prior versions of immigration policies.

In the interim, we should take care of our new neighbors’ basic needs and use the resources that we have created to improve health care and housing services for all Illinois residents.

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?

Ethics rules increase public trust and transparency. As an attorney who is used to identifying potential ethical problems and creating effective boundaries, I support passage of more clear, concise, and potent conflict-of-interest rules for legislators, government staff, and lobbyists.

Likewise, I am interested in campaign finance reform and increasing the investigatory powers of the Legislative Inspector General.

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

Yes, or putting the campaign email on the statement of candidacy.

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

As State Representative, I am committed to working with our law enforcement, prosecutors, public defenders, and advocates to continue refining criminal justice laws. Transitioning to a system where we hold people before trial based on the dangerousness of their crime, rather than their ability to pay, is effective. Body worn cameras are protecting both officers and citizens.

Going forward, I would focus on refining the law based on data and feedback from our front line criminal justice workers, and on devoting more resources to programs for youth and emerging adults impacted by the criminal justice system, who benefit and succeed from more holistic rehabilitation that includes social work, job training, and community-based support.

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?

As a current volunteer and former regional legislative leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I strongly support the Illinois assault weapons ban. I would support additional laws requiring safe storage of firearms; closing domestic violence loopholes (Karina’s bill); strengthening laws for lost or stolen firearms, including my proposal for a strict liability law to give greater options to law enforcement and prosecutors; and partnership with domestic violence organizations on cold case and homicide data legislation.

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

I support the Secretary of State’s ongoing work to develop a skill-based standard as opposed to a strictly age-based standard for road testing. This approach ensures we are neither over-testing nor under-testing, while keeping everyone safe on the roads.

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

As a 45-year Northbrook resident, I bring a record of knowledge, service, and results to our communities. I grew up in a close-knit interfaith family that supported my commitment to service and law.

In my eight years on the school board, I brought in free full-day kindergarten and oversaw in-person and remote education during the pandemic. I served as a board member and volunteer for a reproductive health clinic and LGBTQ+ youth program.

I stepped up as a local legislative leader for Moms Demand Action. I coordinated special education families and workers to protect a Pace bus route, and partnered with parents to pass a youth bike helmet ordinance. I engage hundreds of volunteers in political activism.

In 2024, I proudly passed five unanimous, bipartisan laws on reproductive health care, auto insurance, fair housing, mental health, and government consolidation. This track record of action and success, deeply rooted in the people and goals of the district, shows effectiveness as a legislator.