Jennifer Sanalitro: 2022 candidate for Illinois House 48th District

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: Illinois House 48th District

City: Hanover Park

Age: 50

Occupation: Sales executive, Dandee Pallet and Packaging

Previous offices held: Wayne Township Committeeman

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: I strongly support term limits for legislative leaders and will sponsor legislation to institute those limits.

As for structural reforms needed to make the legislature more effective, I would focus on two key areas: budget accountability/transparency and true ethics reform.

Our current budgeting process under one-party control leaves the residents of our state in the dark until just hours before they call the budget for a vote in Springfield. All major budget bills should be made publicly available for at least two weeks before hearing the bills for a vote. This transparency will ensure those most impacted can offer real input on the draft budget.

I would also be a strong advocate for real ethics reform. With the recent history of indictments and convictions of majority party lawmakers, now more than ever, we need to earn our constituents' trust. That would include giving the Legislative Inspector General the tools they need to do their job.

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: While I appreciate the assistance the federal government provided states during the pandemic, it was a one time infusion of dollars and should be treated as such. Illinois still has significant financial wounds that a Band-Aid solution won't heal.

While the majority party in Springfield continues to impose new taxes and fees on families and seniors to pay for the high cost of government in Illinois, they also give themselves automatic pay raises, and that's just wrong.

On the current fiscal path, there will be no other choice but for them to come back again and take more money from the wallets of taxpayers.

I am committed to working with anyone in Springfield, from either side of the aisle, to pass a truly balanced budget that forces us to live within our means and begins to address our structural issues.

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: There are many areas in Illinois where evidence-based model funding benefits school districts, but most schools in the 48th district are considered adequately funded under the law, and because of that, they do not see much benefit.

While the current funding model is still relatively new, I will continue to monitor its effectiveness and be an advocate for a strong education system that is appropriately funded.

As a mom of two, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our children receive the high-quality education they deserve as the next generation of leaders in our communities.

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

A: While no electoral system is perfect, I believe our elections are fair. Numerous safety mechanisms are built into the process to ensure that our votes are confidential, secure, and counted accurately.

I also believe that voting has never been more readily accessible and easy than it is today, with vote-by-mail and early voting opportunities, which have led to increased participation.

That said, there are always areas that can see improvements, which is why I support legislation currently pending in the legislature that will ensure voter databases are updated regularly with changes of address, the removal of deceased persons in a standardized manner and voter ID.

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 decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court gives states more control over their own abortion policy. As a result of that ruling, no changes have been made in Illinois, and access to a provider remains exactly the same.

One area in which I disagree with current Illinois law is the newly enacted repeal of parental notification,

which allows a minor child to have an abortion without alerting their parent or guardian. As a mom, I support parents' right to know about medical procedures for their children with protections for situations involving abuse.