What types of transportation do you use during an average week, and how has this shaped your view of transportation policy?

I primarily drive during the week, but when I use public transit in Lake County and other lower-density areas, I often experience how limited and inefficient it can be. For example the extremely limited Metra schedule from Mundelein to Union Station. I also looked into the public transit schedule for environmental days like “bike to work day” or “Take public transit to work for awareness” type days, and it’s just unfeasibly long. This has shown me firsthand that when communities lack reliable transit, walking, and biking infrastructure, people simply don’t have real mobility choices.

These experiences shape my view that Illinois should be invested in safe and efficient options beyond cars. Strengthening transit, expanding access to walkable and bikeable streets, and ensuring every neighborhood has viable alternatives are essential to making our communities more livable, equitable, and safe.

What are some of the transportation budgetary and funding challenges–and opportunities–faced statewide?

Illinois faces several statewide transportation funding challenges, many of which become obvious when comparing our systems to the modern, frequent, and reliable transit found in other countries. These funding challenges have been voted on from all three of my opponents as they are state legislators.

Our state relies heavily on aging infrastructure, fragmented funding streams, and revenue sources that are no longer keeping pace with need—like declining gas-tax revenues and inconsistent federal support. This makes it difficult to maintain existing roads, bridges, and transit systems, let alone modernize them.

At the same time, these challenges create real opportunities. There is growing recognition that Illinois must diversify transportation funding, invest in high-quality transit, and build walkable and bikeable communities that reduce car dependence. Federal programs like those in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—offer significant opportunities for upgrading transit, electrifying fleets, and rethinking how we design streets. Regionally, there is an opening to align budgets with equity goals, ensuring communities outside major urban centers aren’t left behind.

Overall, the gap between what we have and what we’ve seen abroad underscores the need for sustained, visionary investment that can move Illinois toward a safer, more modern, and more multimodal transportation system.

What role do you view the comptroller can play in bringing funding sources and revenue streams to state transportation projects?

The Comptroller can play an important role in strengthening funding for state transportation projects by championing economic development and highlighting where investment can have the greatest impact. In many rural areas, like Cairo where residents travel 30 miles just to get groceries, transportation gaps are directly tied to limited economic opportunity. Projects like the long-discussed shipping port could be transformative by bringing jobs, revenue, and the tax base needed to support better transit and infrastructure. But, the red tape has halted the efforts, and that tells the people of Cairo that government is once again abandoning them.

By using the office’s fiscal oversight and public platform, the Comptroller can help direct attention to under-resourced regions, advocate for sustainable revenue streams, and ensure that transportation investments align with broader economic development goals. In doing so, the state can unlock funding, attract business, and build infrastructure that truly serves all communities.

Are there ways you believe Illinois could be better stewards of funding it receives for transportation projects?

I believe they could be placed in interest-bearing accounts to make more interest while it is waiting to be paid out.

Under my leadership, our investment output grew over 200% growth across all interest-earning buckets. For example, I negotiated the investment bucket for pass thru property taxes grew from 1.75% to 4%, significantly increasing the resources available to local governments. We achieved this by modernizing our investment parameters to continue working effectively with investment partners and by shifting to investment options that were newly allowed under state law. As a result, we generated substantial additional revenue for localities, directly benefiting public services like libraries and schools.

Federal funding for Illinois transportation projects – such as the Red Line Extension – has come under threat from the Trump administration. As Comptroller, how do you intend to shore up funding for critical infrastructure projects under a hostile federal climate?

Even in a hostile federal climate, the Comptroller can play a powerful role in protecting critical infrastructure projects like the Red Line Extension. First, I would ensure the state’s finances remain stable and transparent so Illinois is a strong, competitive partner when federal funds are at stake. Second, I would work with state agencies and local leaders to identify and secure alternative funding streams—including state-level bonding, diversified revenue sources, and public-private partnerships—to prevent projects from stalling.

Finally, the Comptroller’s office can use its statewide platform to make the case for why projects like the Red Line Extension are essential for equity, economic growth, and regional mobility. By elevating the real-life impact of these investments and coordinating with our congressional delegation, we can help protect funding and keep Illinois moving forward even when the federal administration is working against us.