Issues

Agriculture

The Second Congressional District is one of the most diverse regions in our nation. It is a microcosm of our country – home to not only urban and suburban, but rural areas as well. And it is our strong rural sector, with over 1,200 farms, that serves as the economic backbone of our district.

Gun Violence

Chicago has become the epicenter of our nation’s gun violence epidemic. In 2016, 786 lives were claimed by gun violence in Chicago. Nationally, the death toll was over 15,000 last year. Too many of our families have been affected by this wave of violence.

Immigration

America is a nation of immigrants; it always has been and always will be. I’m proud of my heritage, including ancestors from Cameroon, Ireland and Ukraine.

LGBTQ Equality

While we’ve made significant progress on equality for our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, much unfinished work remains to ensure true and lasting equality for this community and all American families.

Veterans Issues

We owe it to the men and women who wear our country’s uniform to ensure that they – and their families – receive the benefits and the respect they’ve earned for their service. Illinois has over 700,000 veterans, and my goal is for none of them to be left behind.

Women's Issues

When our nation was founded, I would not have been able to vote or serve in Congress because I’m a woman. In the years since our founding, we’ve come a long way toward ensuring equality for all Americans, regardless of their sex or gender. However, true and lasting equality remains elusive.

Seniors Issues

America’s seniors have spent a lifetime paying into Social Security, saving for their retirement, and preparing for their golden years. They deserve to be able to collect on all of their hard work. That’s why I’m working hard to ensure that Social Security is preserved not only for current retirees, but for generation of seniors to come.

National Security

In today’s global economy, maintaining strong relationships with foreign nations is essential to our national economy and security. Our foreign policy must work to increase trade, promote economic growth, and advance democratic principles while protecting the health, safety, labor, and environmental rights of all nations.

Education

The strength of our education system directly impacts our nation’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Today, the next generation of great innovators, businessmen, and scientists are sitting in classrooms across the country. Prioritizing our students is the safest and smartest investment we can make as a nation. We need federal policies that ensure schools have the resources necessary to help our students succeed, to make higher education accessible, and to ensure that our students are ready for 21st century careers.

Health Care

I am honored to serve as the Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust – one of Congress’s principal health care advisory task forces. In this position, I’m working for the people of Illinois’s Second Congressional District, and all Americans to reduce the health disparities that plague many of our communities.