Maria C. Vesey: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 48
Bio
Party: Democrat
Office Sought: Illinois House District 48
City: Itasca
Age: 61
Occupation: Mortgage loan closer
Previous offices held: None
How should the state respond to the influx of migrants bussed here from Southern states?
Refugees being bussed here from Southern states is just another hurdle we all have to overcome. I proudly support Illinois being a sanctuary state. We must live our values and continue to help support these refugees with basic needs and hope in the land of opportunity. My mother's grandparents and my father's parents all came here from Italy with nothing, hoping to build a better life. I will never forget I come from immigrants.
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. We need to hold them to a higher standard when they are representing our state. I don't believe drinking on state trips is necessary and we need to protect our staffers and their personal space. I also think that state legislation is a full time job and working another job is taking time away from your district.
Would you support a requirement that election petitions include a line asking candidates for their campaign email address?
No, what's the point?
How well do you think criminal justice reforms made in recent years are working? What, if any, changes need to be made?
Eliminating cash bail has proven successful and has created equity among different income levels. We also must improve prison conditions, work programs, parenting programs and continuing education. We need to punish police brutality and abuse and provide continuous job training and mental health checkups for our police and fire departments.
We need to fund returning citizen initiatives for future employment and housing. We need to continue to support and elect a diverse slate of judges.
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?
Eliminating gun fairs, auctions and raffles of weapons and ammo. Private sales need to have a mandatory 48-hour reporting. Making the manufacturing of all 3D guns illegal.
Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates regular behind-the-wheel tests for senior drivers. Do you support any changes?
We need to improve wrap-around services such as more public transit and local programming to help those that can not drive anymore. Ride share, taxi vouchers.
What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?
I have lived a full life with an array of experiences. I grew up with a single mom and union working grandparents. I started working at the Board of Trade at 16. I took care of an aging grandmother and sick mother. I am a rape and breast cancer survivor.
I was a military spouse and later a single parent. I was a union steward for UFCW 1546. Your state representative should be a reflection of everyday hard-working people trying to make life better for their neighbors. I am running so I can help people avoid some of the horrible things I faced.