Election Day is tomorrow, and here in Illinois there are a
number of races being contested that will shape the policy landscape at the
local, state, and federal levels for years to come. But where do the candidates
stand on policies that matter to postdocs, regarding science, education, and
the like? We’ve put together this guide to help postdocs understand how their
elected officials might approach science-related policy, based on previous
actions and the stated positions from the candidates’ own websites. Please note: this is not an endorsement of any candidate, nor a comprehensive guide on their positions. For more in-depth information of the platforms each person
is running on, we recommend visiting their websites.
We hope you’ll find this helpful. Don’t forget to vote!
Governor: Pat Quinn (D,
incumbent) vs Bruce Rauner (R)
by Ann Fitzpatrick
by Ann Fitzpatrick
The race for Governor of Illinois is as close as it can get
with polls putting Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner both on 50%. Both candidates are strongly campaigning on
job creation and the importance of education, but what does this mean for
science funding? That is far less clear and neither candidate’s website
addresses research or science policy directly. Governor Quinn’s website states
that everyone should have the opportunity to get a higher education and puts a
figure of $6 billion for increase in classroom spending. Healthcare and the environment are also
issues Governor Quinn is campaigning and these need the support of science
research to flourish. Bruce Rauner is also running on education as a key issue
although this is focused on high school and early education. As Rauner is the newcomer, with no previous
government experience, perhaps it isn’t shocking that the main issues he is
campaigning on are spending, taxes and government reforms. Yet there are few
specifics about what this would entail, other than repealing some taxes introduced by Governor Quinn.
Sources: https://www.quinnforillinois.
Sources: https://www.quinnforillinois.
U.S. Senator: Dick
Durbin (D, incumbent) vs Jim Oberweis (R)
by Cara Froyd
by Cara Froyd
Dick Durbin
•
Supports strengthening the Clean Air Act as a mean to counteract
climate change
•
Introduced the American Cures Act, which would provide an 5%
annual increase over inflation for biomedical research, in 2014
•
Chairman of Appropriation Subcommittee on Department of Defense
•
On Appropriation Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (includes NIH budget)
•
Supports programs promoting math and science education and
increasing an emphasis on technology and engineering skills development
Jim Oberweis
•
Is not convinced climate change is caused by humans
Sources: http://www.dickdurbin.com/home
Illinois
1st Congressional District: Bobby Rush (D, incumbent) vs Jimmy Lee
Tillman (R)
by Kyle Dolan
Bobby Rush has represented the 1st
District of Illinois since 1993. He currently serves on the House Energy and
Commerce Committee, where he is the ranking member on the Subcommittee on
Energy and Power. According to On The
Issues, Rush “strongly favors” increased funding and development of clean
energy.
Jimmy Lee Tillman II is “a political
strategist,[…] talk show host, and historian” according to his campaign
website. He is focusing on urban social issues including tackling homelessness
among youth and improving reintegration of former prisoners into society,
particularly female prisoners.
Illinois
2nd Congressional District: Robin Kelly (D, incumbent) vs. Eric Wallace (R)
by Elizabeth Little
Although little is publicly known
about either candidate’s views on biomedical issues, this race could have broad
implications given that Representative Kelly currently serves on the House
Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the subcommittee for Research and
Technology. Most notably, looking at
Healthcare Reform, both appear to tow their respective party lines – with Rep.
Kelly voting against both House Amendment 450 (requiring Congressional approval
for changes to Affordable Care Act) and HR 2009 (preventing the IRS from
enforcing penalties under the Affordable Care Act) while Dr. Wallace calls for
repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Representative Kelly was voted into
office in the 2013 special election to fill the seat left open by Jesse Jackson
Jr.’s resignation. She previously served
in the Illinois House of Representatives and as Chief of Staff for the Illinois
State Treasurer. She holds a PhD in
Political Science. Dr. Wallace earned a
PhD in Biblical Studies and worked as President and CEO of Wallace
Publishing. He has recently served as
co-Chairman of the Cook Country Republican Party and on the African American
Advisory Board for the Republican National Committee.
Illinois
11th Congressional District: Bill Foster (D, incumbent) vs Darlene
Senger (R)
by Kyle Dolan
Bill Foster was re-elected to
represent the 11th District in 2012, two years after losing his seat
in Congress to a Republican challenger. He holds a Ph.D. in physics and
formerly worked at Fermilab. He is also a businessman and co-founder of
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. He serves on the House Committee on Financial
Services. Foster’s legislative record shows consistent support for science,
including sponsorship of several bills aimed at increasing science budgets and
improving STEM educational programs.
Darlene Senger is a state legislator
representing District 41 in the Illinois House of Representatives. Prior to her
political career, Senger worked in the financial industry. According to her
campaign website, she is focusing on lowering taxes, reforming economic
regulations, and scaling back or repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
