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

Depending on the week and my work schedule, I take a variety of transportation options including bus, train and car.

This understanding of public transit and the transportation issues facing residents has made me a strong advocate for public transportation in Illinois. I support reforming and funding regional transit systems to make them safer, more reliable, and better integrated, especially through legislation like the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act. I also prioritize local infrastructure improvements with IDOT and have led efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and protect construction workers. I have actively opposed federal funding cuts under the Trump administration, backing resolutions to defend Illinois transit projects and ensure promised federal investments are delivered.

What are some transportation challenges in your district?

In my district on Chicago’s Northwest Side, a major challenge is improving pedestrian safety and local road conditions amid heavy traffic. Major streets cutting through our district can be dangerous for people walking or biking. I often say the pedestrian experience is the cornerstone of our communities, because if folks can’t cross a street safely, we’re failing them. I hear from parents and seniors worried about speeding cars at busy intersections like Irving Park and Kedzie. That’s why I pushed a new law empowering IDOT to redesign hazardous intersections and add better crosswalks and signals. We’re working to calm traffic on those thoroughfares so that children can walk to school and residents can get around without fear of accidents.

Another challenge is reliable public transit access. Many residents depend on the CTA buses and trains as well as Metra commuter rail. When those services are delayed, overcrowded, or inaccessible, it directly impacts people’s livelihoods. I’ve fought to secure funding for transit improvements in our community. I want to ensure public transit is a convenient, dependable option for everyone in the district.

We also grapple with congestion and wear-and-tear on local streets. When the expressway backs up, drivers flood our surface roads to cut through the neighborhood, causing traffic jams and potholes. This not only slows down local travel but also deteriorates our road quality. I’m working on solutions like better traffic management and promoting transit usage to ease that burden. Long-term, investments in transit and biking infrastructure will give people alternatives to driving, which can reduce congestion. In the meantime, I coordinate with city officials to prioritize street repaving and patching in the worst-hit areas. The bottom line is, our community needs safe streets and efficient transit, and I’m continually tackling those challenges — from small fixes like new stop signs to big pushes for transit funding — to improve daily transportation for my constituents.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) plays a significant role in transportation throughout the state, in Chicago, and Cook County. What is your opinion on their role with the Chicago Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, local communities, and the impact that has?

IDOT is a crucial player in our transportation system. They have the funding and authority over major roads and highways that run through Chicago and Cook County. In my view, IDOT needs to be a strong partner to our local agencies rather than working in a silo. That means close coordination with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), Cook County’s transportation department, and with local communities on every project that affects us. When everyone is in sync, we get better outcomes. I’ve pushed IDOT to engage early with neighborhoods and respect local priorities — whether it’s adding bike lanes, improving crosswalks, or aligning transit upgrades with community development.

How do you view the Illinois General Assembly’s role in setting IDOT’s priorities for public transit, passenger rail, and strengthening accessibility in transportation?

The legislature sets the tone for IDOT’s priorities. Through funding and policy, we guide the department toward investing in transit, rail, and accessibility. I helped pass the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act to unify CTA, Metra, and Pace, and I’ve sponsored laws that require IDOT to prioritize pedestrian safety. We also hold oversight hearings to ensure IDOT is meeting the needs of riders, not just drivers.

I also serve as a megaphone for specific issues in my district, and I am not afraid to be extremely persistent if there is an issue that our community needs immediately addressed.

States like Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia have passed legislation that has shifted their transportation infrastructure spending towards projects that prioritize safety, transit and cycling, and greenhouse gas mitigation. What’s your position on Illinois’ current transportation infrastructure spending, and if you could change anything, what would it be?

Illinois has made historic investments in infrastructure, but we need to renew our focus on transit, safety, and climate-friendly projects. I am proud of supporting NITA but more needs to be done, like shifting more funding toward improving and maintaining existing roads, expanding transit, and building out bike and pedestrian infrastructure. We need to align our spending with long-term goals like reducing emissions and improving equity.

This fall, the Illinois General Assembly passed a historic investment in transit operations – as well as significant governance reforms in the establishment of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. How do you view the Assembly’s role in ensuring both the short- and long-term success of this legislation?

Passing NITA was a major win, but now the real work begins. The General Assembly must ensure the new transit authority delivers on its promises — integrated fares, better service, and fiscal accountability. I’ll be monitoring board appointments, funding use, and performance metrics. Long-term, we need to keep investing and adjusting policy to support a more efficient, rider-focused transit system.

What is your position on investing to expand passenger rail service in Illinois, including the development of high-speed rail?

I fully support expanding passenger rail across Illinois and developing high-speed rail. Projects like the Chicago-to-St. Louis corridor and restoring service to Rockford and the Quad Cities are essential for connectivity and economic growth. High-speed rail would be transformative, and I’ll continue advocating for federal and state investment to make it a reality.

Federal funding for Illinois transportation projects – such as the Red Line Extension and Red-Purple Modernization projects – has come under threat from the Trump administration. How can legislators shore up funding for critical infrastructure projects under a hostile federal climate?

When federal funding is threatened, we fight back. I supported resolutions condemning the Trump administration’s freeze on Red Line Extension funds and worked with our congressional delegation to defend Illinois projects. We also need to explore contingency plans — like state bonding or public-private partnerships — to keep critical infrastructure moving forward. Legislators must be ready to step up when Washington won’t.