Across central Illinois, families are working hard, but too many are still struggling to keep up with the cost of living. I know this reality firsthand; I have lived the struggle too, and I understand what it means when wages do not stretch far enough.

From groceries and gas to housing and childcare, everyday expenses are rising faster than wages. People should not have to choose between paying their bills and planning for their future.

I will fight to lower costs for working families, taking on price gouging, bringing down prescription drug prices, and making housing more affordable. I will support policies that grow good-paying jobs, strengthen local economies, and put more money back in people’s pockets.

I will also work to ease the burden of childcare and everyday expenses so families can get ahead, not just get by.

I believe that if you work hard, you should be able to afford your life, and I am committed to making that a reality for families across the district.

We just marked the 250th birthday of the United States Army and Navy, with nearly 700,000 veterans calling Illinois home. In central Illinois, we believe that when someone serves this country, we owe them real support, not empty promises.

I will work to expand access to VA healthcare, especially in rural communities where too many veterans face barriers to timely, quality care. I will strengthen caregiver support programs, address toxic exposures, and streamline the claims process so veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned without unnecessary delays.

I will fight to ensure the VA is fully staffed and properly funded, with a focus on critical services like mental health care and long-term care.

I will expand access to reproductive and fertility services, including IVF, and ensure women veterans receive care that reflects their specific needs.

I will prioritize support for veterans with service-related disabilities, as well as those facing challenges related to toxic exposure, housing insecurity, and homelessness.

In central Illinois, every student deserves a quality education, no matter their zip code.

But too many schools are underfunded, teachers are stretched thin, and students don’t always have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. Strong schools are the foundation of strong communities, and we need to treat them that way.

I will fight to fully fund our public schools and increase teacher pay so we can recruit and retain the educators our students deserve. I will invest in vocational and technical training programs, ensuring students have pathways to good-paying jobs, whether that’s college, the trades, or careers right here at home.

I will work to make sure every student has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.

I believe our students, teachers, and families deserve a representative who values education and is committed to building a stronger future for every child.

As a nurse, I know healthcare is personal, and in Illinois-15, too many families are being asked to pay more and get less.

Across our communities, people are struggling with rising prescription drug costs, fewer local providers, and rural hospitals that are stretched too thin. Families shouldn’t have to drive hours for care or choose between filling a prescription and paying their bills.

I will fight to lower prescription drug costs, including insulin, and take on the price gouging that puts lifesaving medications out of reach. I will work to protect and strengthen rural hospitals so families can get care close to home.

I will expand access to mental health services and invest in preventative care, because catching issues early saves lives and lowers costs. I will defend and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid to ensure seniors, families, and vulnerable communities can access the care they need.

I believe healthcare should be accessible and affordable for every family because healthcare is a basic right, not a privilege.

Illinois’ 15th Congressional District is home to hardworking farmers who keep our communities running, and they deserve a representative who will stand up for them.

Across central Illinois, family farms are being passed from one generation to the next, but the next generation of farmers is facing real uncertainty as they step into operations shaped by rising input costs, unpredictable markets, and growing pressure on already-thin margins. These young and beginning farmers need stability, access to land and credit, and a fair shot to build on the legacy of the families who came before them.

At the same time, established family farms are working to hold on in a challenging environment where every decision carries more risk and less certainty. They need policies that recognize the long-term value of family agriculture and keep farming viable in rural communities.

I will fight for fair trade policies that put American farmers first and expand access to agricultural markets so they can compete and grow. I will protect crop insurance programs that farmers rely on and support investments in sustainable, practical farming practices that strengthen both the land and long-term profitability.

I will also work to strengthen rural infrastructure, from roads and broadband to grain transport, so farmers can get their products to market efficiently and keep their operations moving.

I am committed to making sure family farms not only survive, but thrive for generations to come.

Working families across the country are being squeezed by stagnant wages, rising costs, and economic uncertainty that makes it harder to get ahead even while working full-time. In central Illinois, we believe that hard work should lead to stability, dignity, and opportunity, not constant financial stress.

I will fight for fair wages that reflect the true cost of living and ensure that work is enough to support a family. I will protect the right of workers to organize and join unions freely and without intimidation or retaliation.

I will strengthen workplace safety standards and hold employers accountable when they put workers at risk or fail to follow the law. I will crack down on wage theft and ensure workers are paid fully and on time for every hour they work.

I will work to expand access to paid sick time and family leave so that no one has to choose between their paycheck and their health or their family. I will strengthen enforcement of labor laws so that workers have real and timely recourse when their rights are violated.