Rae Yawer: Candidate profile

Bio

Party: Democratic

City: Streamwood

Office sought: State Senator, District 22

Age: Youthful 60s

Family: Two sons and a daughter

Occupation: Mortgage Consultant

Education: B.S. in Biology and Chemistry; St. Francis College. Studied Business Law and Accounting; Northeastern Illinois University. High School Diploma; University of Cambridge

Civic involvement: I'm on the Leadership Council of the Voice of Indian American Voters and served on the Board of Illinois Civic Leaders Coalition. Five years of experience fundraising for Compassionate Care Network. President of the St George's Association for over 19 years

Elected offices held: I was elected to serve as a Commissioner of the Streamwood Park District Board in 2017. Within one year, I was recognized for my exemplary service and leadership and elected to be Vice President of the Board

Incumbent? If yes, when were first elected: No

Website: www.raeyawer.com

Twitter:

Facebook: Rae Yawer For State Senate

Questions and Answers

1. What is your position on placing a 'Fair Maps' amendment on the November ballot? If the amendment makes the ballot after the primary, will you support it? Why or why not?

In principle, gerrymandering, or redistricting, is a corrosive force that has undermined democracy and the power of the individual voter. We should move to computer model drawn maps with human oversight independent of party interests. Nothing will be done unless both parties agree it is a problem everywhere and is fixed everywhere at once. In practice, however, the issue, is largely a federal problem that needs to be lobbied for at the federal level. Yes I will support the amendment.

2. What are the most important components that should be included in legislative ethics reform? What will you do to help them come to pass?

I look forward to working with both parties in the General Assembly to build on reforms like the Lobbyist Registration Act. When you sign an oath of office, you commit to serving in the public interest and only the public interest. This abiding belief will shape my efforts to implement additional ethics reforms and hold our elected body to full account before those who voted them into office in the first place. The machinery in both parties has contributed to some of the worst abuses of power in Illinois. That is why, as a progressive, I will align my platform with the interests of individual voters and not wealthy companies, special interest groups, or party cronyism. We need to work as hard as we can to end the ability of powerful groups to lobby our elected officials and hold sway over their decision making. We also need to do more to combat sexual harassment by elected officials.

3. What should the state do to address the still-growing problems with its key pension programs?

First, I want a constitutional amendment relating to pensions, but not the one that everyone talks about. I want a constitutional amendment barring the legislature and the governor from ever taking a pension holiday again. That is where this crisis originally took root. The State should never be allowed to capriciously and unilaterally decide it will not carry out its end of the bargain. The current legislature cannot pass a law telling a future legislature it can't do something. An amendment to the Illinois Constitution is the only way to bind the hands of legislators and governors in both parties from ever doing that again.

Second, we need to expand our revenue generation through economic development. All the tax increases or decreases and fancy accounting plans don't actually do anything if the Illinois economy isn't operating at peak efficiency. I want to work with elected officials across the state to bring economic development to Elgin and Streamwood, but also to Naperville, Champaign, Carbondale, and Rockford. When all of Illinois is thriving, it makes life easier for all of us. We can't just focus on Chicago, or the suburbs, or downstate. We must see ourselves as a unified team, achieving goals together and figuring out how to help every region in the state. I simply refuse to believe that this crisis is a zero-sum game. The solution must be one that equitably serves the interests of the state as a whole. We all win together.

4. Describe at least two circumstances in which you have shown or would show a willingness and capacity to act independently of the direction or demands of party leadership. Do you support term limits for majority and minority leaders in both chambers?

I oppose unlimited terms for any elected official. The research strongly suggests that unlimited terms slowly shifts the incentives for incumbents away from constituents and towards the powerful groups that help incumbents get reelected. Serving for as long as you want just because you have learned to manipulate the system to your advantage election after election is about as undemocratic as it gets, stifling competition from opposing candidates who can check such unbridled power. I look forward to working with constituents and my colleagues in the General Assembly to arrive at a maximum number of terms that still allows lawmakers to gain experience while providing an opening for new political voices.

My campaign will be focused on giving power back to the people, directly representing their interests, and empowering workers, the middle class, and historically-disadvantaged groups. I will focus on committing to everyday people and their needs. That means speaking truth to power in the establishment wings of both parties, which have become more beholden to corporate and special interests than those of their individual constituents. As a State Senator, I will make progressive values and the interests of ALL people - the actual voters - the cornerstone of my work.

5. What should lawmakers be doing to stem out-migration from Illinois?

The lawmakers should ensure that public universities are fully funded and that tuition is reduced and capped for in-state residents. We also need to increase financial assistance for high school graduates who stay in Illinois and enroll in an Illinois university. Money should be reallocated to infrastructure, limiting state spending to correspond with economic growth, cutting property taxes and consolidating local government districts and municipalities so governments can pool resources and save money. Spending on infrastructure can help promote necessary economic growth and encourage in- migration and stem out migration

6. Do you believe climate change is caused by human activity? What steps should government be taking to address the issue?

Yes. Climate change is human induced. Carbon Dioxide concentrations are higher today than at any time in at least the past 650,000 years. They are about 35% higher than before the industrial revolution, and this increase is caused by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, as are methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and a host of other trace gases. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket for infrared radiation, retaining radiative energy near the surface that would otherwise escape directly to space. Unless compensated for by other processes, the increase in radiative energy available to the surface and the lower atmosphere leads to warming.

Government should approve alternate energy sources, like solar power and plant more trees. Illinois should lead the way in reducing the harmful effects of climate change and transitioning to a green economy. As climate change becomes more mainstream, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly to incentivize that transition. I will support legislation that provides grants, tax breaks, and other incentives for energy efficient and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

7. The graduated income tax is designed with the intent to reduce taxes for 97 percent of Illinoisans. Do you believe that will happen? Why or why not? What assurances can you offer voters?

I am looking forward to closely reviewing Pritzker's tax proposal. More generally speaking, as a progressive, I'm in favor of tax burdens that gradually and reasonably increase as an individual becomes more prosperous. America and Illinois should be places where everyone can be successful. If you're extremely successful, good for you! But don't forget that nobody wins on their own - there were workers and others below you who contributed their blood, sweat, and tears to that process. I believe strongly that we have a moral and democratic duty to pay our material successes forward so all can share in this country's prosperity.