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Azam Nizamuddin: 2022 candidate for Illinois House 48th District

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Illinois House 48th District

City: Bloomingdale

Age: 55

Occupation: Attorney, Martoccio & Martoccio

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

Q: What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? What is your position on term limits in general and for legislative leaders specifically?

A: Improving the performance and effectiveness of government is fundamental to building trust in our communities and our state. Elected officials need to be transparent and demonstrate that the people are front and center in each decision made in Springfield. I support term limits on new leadership. For too long the powerful and well connected have manipulated the system for their own benefit and I want to do the work to close that exploitation. While actions in our neighboring states and in Washington are diminishing trust, I'm going door-to-door meeting the people in the 48th District and letting them know that I will be in Springfield to be a voice for them and that I'm focused on protecting reproductive health, urging stronger gun safety laws, property tax relief and rebuilding our blue-collar economy.

Q: Federal assistance has enabled the state to make important advances toward improving its budget. What will you do to ensure these advances continue when the federal aid is gone?

A: If we want to have continued progress, we need to elect leaders who will pass smart, balanced budgets instead of playing partisan games as we've seen so often in the past. Illinois has eliminated $17 billion from Bruce Rauner's administration's debt and earned credit upgrades from every bond rating agency because of smarter approaches to investment and saving - not COVID relief funds. I want to continue that work use the millions of dollars that have been freed up to fund priorities like education and health care and other critical resources in our communities.

Q: To what extent are you happy or unhappy with the evidence-based model for education funding now in place in Illinois? How would you define "adequate" state funding for Illinois schools and what will you do to promote that?

A: Illinois has traditionally relied on property taxes to fund the educational system which has led to inequities because districts with low property wealth had to raise property taxes rates higher to raise the same money as the wealthier districts with lower tax rates. The evidence-based model recognizes that while district needs will vary, every child deserved to have access to a great education. Adequacy varies based on a districts size, regional factors, and local resources. Adequacy also means relief for property taxpayers, so they are not being forced to pay more every year while the state pays less. If elected, I would support new funding for classroom education which I believe will move more districts closer to adequate and ultimately lower taxpayer obligations.

Q: Do you believe elections in Illinois are free and fair? What changes, if any, are needed regarding election security and voter access?

A: The 2020 election was arguably one of the most secure elections in history. Extensive research by our nation's top law intelligence agencies, and the findings of the Courts, have confirmed that there was no significant voter fraud in 2020. But we can do more to boost confidence in our election system such as expanding citizen input in how legislative maps are drawn, how campaigns are funded and spend funds, and increasing access to the ballot box. I also believe lawmakers can boost trust in government by simply being more accessible to the people they represent. That's why I'm going door to door to get feedback from the people I hope to soon represent in Springfield.

Q: How well has Illinois responded to Supreme Court indications that it considers abortion, gay marriage and other social issues to be state, not federal, responsibilities? What if anything needs to be done in these areas and what would you do to make your vision come to pass?

A: The states are now the last line of defense and Illinois is better positioned than our neighboring states to protect reproductive health care and same-sex marriage rights. To keep these rights intact we need to elect leaders who respect the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community in Illinois. If elected, I will work to protect women and doctors from being targeted or harassed by other states and the right to marry who you love.

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