Carole Cheney: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: caroleforcongress.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/Carole4IL06Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolecheneyforcongress/Office sought: 6th District U.S. Representative Age: 57Family: I have two sons, Daniel, 21, and Jack, 19, and a dog Steve. Along with a mother and two brothers and their families.Occupation: Attorney and Public ServantEducation: -1983 University of Illinois Urbana, BA in Broadcast Journalism, University Honors -1984 University of Illinois Springfield, MS in Public Affairs Reporting -1991 Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Editor in Chief of Law Review, Order of the Coif, JDCivic involvement: -Former District Chief of Staff for Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) -Will County Children's Advocacy Center, Board Member -Boys Girls Club of Joliet, Board Member -Feed My Starving Children, Former Chicago Advisory Board Member -Naperville Township Democratic Organization, Vice-Chair -Family Focus Aurora, Former Advisory Board Member -Haiti Mission Trips with St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2008 2016 -National Safety Council, Former National News Media Coordinator -National Public Radio Peoria Affiliate, Former News DirectorElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What do you think is the government's responsibility in assuring that citizens have health care? To what extent does the Affordable Care Act address this responsibility? What, if any, changes are needed in the act.As someone who receives their healthcare through the marketplace, I understand firsthand the disastrous impact that repealing the ACA would have on millions of American families and on our economy. I will defend the ACA and stand up to Republican efforts to strip health care from millions of Americans, because every American has a right to accessible, affordable and quality healthcare. Rather than serve the needs of his constituents, Peter Roskam has been a leader in efforts to repeal and sabotage the ACA which have increased instability in the insurance markets and resulted in higher healthcare costs. We absolutely need to improve the ACA because health insurance remains too expensive. Peter Roskam isn't interested in improving healthcare or reducing costs -- he only cares about catering to his special interest, corporate donors. I will fight to ensure every American has access to healthcare by exploring rational solutions such as a public option to provide additional choice, lowering the eligibility age for Medicare, incentivizing younger people to purchase coverage in the marketplace, setting up alternative payment structures to both reduce cost and increase the quality of care, and any thoughtful, rational ways to reduce costs while providing quality healthcare. We need a strong leader in Washington who understands the importance of affordable, quality healthcare and will fight to protect Medicare and Social Security. As your Congresswoman, I will work to ensure that no American ever worries about whether or not they will lose their healthcare because of partisan politics in Washington.What immigration policies do you support? Where, if at all, do you see room for compromise to produce an effective policy on immigration? What, if any, responsibility does the government have toward immigrants referred to as Dreamers who were brought to the United States illegally as children and are now adults? How will these policies affect your district?We are a nation of immigrants with a strong heritage of inclusion. My grandfather came here from Hungary, and built a successful upholstery business. America has thrived on the innovation and diversity brought by people of all cultures. We would benefit economically by establishing a pathway to citizenship that is both thoughtful and fair. Peter Roskam, Donald Trump, and the Republican Party have forgotten that throughout history immigrants have come here seeking refuge and opportunity, and have worked hard to achieve the American Dream. I support a path to citizenship and believe we must fight to protect the Dreamers who were brought here as children, are contributors to our society, and know no other country. We made a bargain with them. Now Donald Trump wants to break that bargain for political points, and destroy countless lives in the process. People in our communities are going back into the shadows because they are concerned about aggressive deportation and Donald Trump's hostility towards immigrants. As Congressman Foster's District Chief of Staff, I worked with a member of the military whose troop had relied heavily on an Afghan interpreter. The lives of the interpreter and his family were threatened by the Taliban for helping our country, so we helped them obtain special immigrant visas. Donald Trump's immigration ban, which Peter Roskam supported, would have barred individuals like this from entering our country. Donald Trump's bigoted, irresponsible immigration policy is not making us safer it is escalating fear and promoting divisiveness.What military or diplomatic roles should the United States play to promote peace and stability in the Mideast? Under what circumstances should we have military forces actively operating?The United States should focus on supporting peace in the middle east through established diplomatic routes. Iran is considered a state sponsor of terrorism, and we need to continue working to ensure that it does not develop a nuclear weapon. The development of vicious extremist organizations, particularly the Islamic State, cannot be ignored. We should be a strong leader by supporting our allies through specific operations rather than ground forces that include U.S. troops. It is of particular importance, given the volatility of the region, that our nation's leader is not volatile and instead provides a rational, stable, and thoughtful approach to any military or diplomatic efforts in the middle east and on the world stage generally. Foreign policy should be established through a methodical process at all times. Donald Trump has irresponsibly made unanticipated shifts in our nation's foreign policy without consultation with national leaders and experts, and without regard for ramifications. This is a dangerous precedent that signals extreme instability on the world stage, and places every American and our nation at risk.What should the United States be doing to reduce the threat of potential nuclear conflict from North Korea?North Korea is an urgent national security threat, and dealing with this threat requires a measured, rationale approach rather than Ãâ#128;™governance by tweetÃâ#128;œ which serves to escalate both hostility and fear. Working with our world and regional partners, we must seek ways to disarm North Korea and alleviate the nuclear threat it poses. We also should be working to foster a strong working relationship between the United States, North Korea, South Korea, and the rest of the world. The recent decision made by North and South Korea to march under a pro-unification flag at the Olympics is a positive step. The delicate nature of our relationship with North Korea underscores why it is so crucial that our Commander-In-Chief is thoughtful and rational in dealing with North Korea. We need to focus on keeping Americans safe, and Donald Trump's reckless antagonism undermines this most basic foreign policy objective.How would you describe the effectiveness of Congress today? If you think Congress needs to be more effective, what would you do to promote that?Congress is being strangled by partisanship and the influence of wealthy special interests. Unfortunately, the extreme polarization has resulted in repeated stalemates even in matters that should not be controversial, such as funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Sadly, it is the American people who pay the price from the repeated gridlock -- whether it is the failure to pass a budget, or the inability to have a rational discussion about healthcare. Democrats and Republicans need to work together to pass legislation that supports and grows the middle class. The need to rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure is one prime opportunity for bipartisanship. Rebuilding roads and restoring our bridges not only helps keep Americans safe it creates jobs and puts Americans to work, thereby enhancing economic growth. I also believe that support for our nation's small businesses is an area in which we can find bipartisan support. Our nation's small businesses are the foundation of our economy and Congress needs to support them and help them grow. Too often, people say government isn't working. I have helped make government work and want to keep doing so. Today, government isn't working for the people in Illinois' 6th. It is time to replace Peter Roskam with someone who is focused on serving the interests of this community, not special interests. Being a representative means more than shaking hands in back rooms. It is time to bring back faith in our government.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The Sixth District needs responsive representation because Peter Roskam has forgotten about his constituents. My priority will be giving a voice back to our community, and making government more responsive to constituents. I grew up in a modest, middle-class family. My dad was a union butcher and my mom was a secretary. My brothers and I were taught that if we worked hard, we would have opportunity and the chance to succeed. This seems out of reach today. Many people have not fully recovered from the financial crisis, and small business has been particularly slow to recover. During the campaign, Donald Trump said he would fight for the middle class. Instead, he has advocated for corporations and special interests. Peter Roskam led efforts to pass a tax bill that rewards large corporations and pays for it by raising taxes on the middle class over ten years. I will support policies that enable hard-working families to grow in the economy of today and tomorrow. Our economy has changed and will continue to change with advances in technology. Congress needs to prepare for the future changes in our economy and make sure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed. Finally, I will continue to be a public servant. I know the importance of reaching out to the people in our community, because I've done it. I did exactly what Peter Rokam does not do: I listened to people rather than talked at them, and responded to their concerns.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My mom. I've always looked up to her for her inner strength during challenging times. She now has Parkinson's. She doesn't complain, and instead volunteers.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?With five people in a small bungalow with one bathroom, one telephone, and one car -- tolerance!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Every step is a life lesson, so I'd rather use the lessons in moving forward.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. It helps us understand how our society and values came to be. Leaders today would be well served by reviewing the lessons of history.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be yourself and work to understand and help others, because life is about humanity not things.