Randi Olson: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 70

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Illinois House District 70

City: Courtland

Age: 60

Occupation: Health and safety coach for license exempt providers

Previous offices held: Town of Cortland Trustee

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

Currently, there has only been one Texas-funded bus reported arriving in Illinois in 2024. This bus carried legal, documented immigrants duped into leaving Texas by its governor as a publicity stunt. Illinois should still have a plan in place to be prepared if the situation changes.

If a surprise bus arrives, we need to think about humanity first and make sure their basic needs are met, such as food, clothing, and shelter. If Texas refuses to work with us and resumes surprise bus drop-offs, the state will need to take serious legal action against the bus drivers and the employers.

Gathering information on the immigrants needs to be done. At the height of the bus drops, they discussed that work permits needed to be processed much quicker.

People coming to the U.S. come to work and want to work.

Currently, we have industries that need employees. The state also needs to look to the federal government for financial assistance. Border crossings are a national problem.

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?

No, I am not satisfied with the existing policies. To promote transparency and accountability, reforming current policies is essential. This includes implementing a two-year cooling-off period for legislators transitioning to lobbyists, ensuring a clear separation between public service and private interests.

Lobbyists must disclose their information, and the Legislative Ethics Commission, consisting of public and legislator members, must have their punishments enforced. Furthermore, maintaining ethical standards for legislators on par with executive officials and local government officials is necessary. The required financial disclosure form that is filled out by candidates and elected officials needs to be rewritten so the questions are more thorough and easier to understand.

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

No. While it is easy to obtain an email address, doing so should not be required as part of the very first step in running for office. Every other part of the petition is a required piece of information that everyone must meet, either by statute or by the constitution, such as a place of residence. Having an email address is not mandatory in America.

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 was a large criminal justice reform that caused a lot of controversy and lawsuits. There was a lot of predictions of the sky falling but as of a year after its implementation, crime has not increased and people are showing up for their court dates.

Unless a fundamental flaw is discovered, there are no changes that need to be made at this time.

There were some juvenile justice reforms, but two reforms are still missing for juveniles: the police should not have the ability to lie to juveniles in custody, and police must make sure juveniles always have a lawyer present when questioned. Juveniles are easily influenced by adults and want to please, which means they are easily duped. They need to be treated age-appropriately not as adults, because they are not adults.

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 would not make changes to the assault weapons ban but I would hope there would be a way to enforce the registration of pre-owned weapons. I would support any changes recommended by the Illinois State Police to improve enforcement. Frequently, when there is an accidental shooting it involves inappropriate storage practices.

Recently two parents have been charged with allowing gun access to their minor children who then committed mass shootings. I would support strengthening parental responsibility laws in Illinois. There is technology that could be installed on guns, such as thumbprint locks, but at this point, I do not believe it should be legislated.

Gun manufacturers, however, should be held responsible if they choose not to be innovative with gun designs that enhance safety. Legislators should always keep an open mind to things that can be done to improve gun safety. It should never be about party

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

Until 1990, senior drivers had to start taking behind-the-wheel tests at age 69. In 1990 they raised the age to 75. I do not believe the current law for regular behind the wheel tests for seniors is unreasonable.

Seniors do start to have a slower response time, slower reflexes and vision can start to deteriorate as well.

Of course, this will not happen for all seniors. Keeping our roads safe is important though. Not all seniors have regular doctor visits or family and friends who will monitor their driving and talk to them about not driving if their skills deteriorate. The cost of an renewal is also a concern. Not all seniors are going to be able to afford the cost. Free renewals, reduced renewal charges, or charges by income would alleviate that burden.

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

My family taught me to be empathetic and community-minded. I have learned to be a problem-solver and tenacious in getting the job done. Too often, I see people easily give up when things do not go their way. I have learned to listen to all sides of a story, research the issue, and seek advice when coming to a solution.

When it involves a compromise, dedication to finding the best solution for all is not always popular, but that is what I search for.

In my years of experience running a large day care, I have become very pragmatic in making tough decisions between doing what is best for the children, which is always a top priority, and what is best for the budget, which meant keeping my job. I am determined to stay open-minded, considering no one is ever right 100% of the time.

These traits of being open-minded, empathetic, dedicated, determined, pragmatic, decisive, and open-minded make me an effective legislator in the Town of Cortland and will make me an effective legislator.