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

I use a mix of driving, walking, and public transit, especially since I travel between my office in the city and the suburbs quite often to engage with citzens in District 8. Like many residents, I rely on a car for work and family obligations, but I also regularly walk in my community and use transit when traveling into denser areas of the Chicago region. This mix of transportation has shaped my view that mobility policy should not favor one mode at the expense of others. Streets should work for everyone, including drivers, pedestrians, people using mobility devices, cyclists, and transit riders.

Seeing these challenges firsthand has reinforced my belief that federal transportation funding should prioritize safety, accessibility, and reliability. That means investing in well-maintained sidewalks and crossings, safer street design, strong public transit systems, and infrastructure that allows people to choose the mode of transportation that best fits their needs. Transportation policy should support economic opportunity, public safety, and quality of life, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and families who depend on other forms of transportation.

What are some transportation challenges in your district?

Many communities in the 8th were designed primarily around driving, which has led to gaps in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike infrastructure This makes it harder for seniors, people with disabilities, and families to get around safely without a car.

Traffic congestion on major corridors and near commercial centers creates safety concerns for pedestrians and slows down bus service. In some areas, bus routes and service frequency do not adequately connect residents to jobs, schools, and healthcare.

Aging infrastructure is another challenge. Poorly maintained roads, sidewalks, and transit facilities increase costs over time and pose safety risks. These issues are made worse with inconsistent funding and planning that fails to prioritize safety and accessibility across all modes of transportation.

How do you view Congress’s role in setting priorities for public transit, passenger rail, and strengthening accessibility in transportation?

Congress plays a critical role in setting national transportation priorities by determining how federal dollars are allocated and ensuring those investments advance safety, accessibility, and economic opportunity. Congress must provide stable, long-term funding and clear policy guidance that supports reliable public transit and safe access for people of all abilities.

Public transit and passenger rail are essential to connecting people to jobs, education, and healthcare while reducing congestion and improving environmental outcomes.

Congress should prioritize funding that improves service reliability, modernizes aging systems, and expands access, particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, and communities that have historically been underserved. Congress should also ensure that federally funded transportation projects meet high accessibility standards, support complete streets and universal design, and give agencies the flexibility to invest in sidewalks and crossings that make transit usable for everyone. By setting these priorities, I would love to help build a transportation system that is safer, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future.

What’s your position on the Federal government and Illinois’ current transportation infrastructure spending, and if you could change anything, what would it be?

Too much spending is still focused on expanding capacity rather than fixing and improving the infrastructure people rely on every day. I would better align spending with safety, accessibility, and return on investment. Federal and Illinois funding should prioritize repairing existing roads and bridges, improving sidewalks and crossings, strengthening public transit and passenger rail, and making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities. I would also push for clearer performance measures so transportation dollars are tied to outcomes like reduced crashes, improved transit reliability, and better access to jobs and services. Smart, accountable investments will deliver stronger economic and quality-of-life benefits for communities across the district and the state.

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

I support strategic investments to expand and modernize passenger rail in Illinois, including improved intercity service and long-term planning for higher-speed rail where it makes sense. Any expansion should be focused on clear public benefits while ensuring projects are cost-effective and well-managed.

High-speed rail should be approached thoughtfully, with strong ridership analysis, regional coordination, and a clear funding strategy. When done right, passenger rail investments can reduce congestion and strengthen Illinois’ transportation system while respecting taxpayers and delivering real value to communities.

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 do you plan to shore up funding for critical infrastructure projects under a hostile federal climate?

Protecting critical transportation funding requires persistence, coalition-building, and a clear case for why these projects matter. I would work closely with Illinois’ delegation, regional transit agencies, labor partners, and local governments to present a unified front in support of these projects.

I believe Congress has a responsibility to ensure federal transportation dollars are distributed fairly and based on merit. That means strong oversight of discretionary grant programs, pushing for transparent criteria, and holding the administration accountable when projects that meet federal standards are delayed or threatened.

I would also support diversifying funding strategies by strengthening formula funding, advancing multi-year authorizations, and helping agencies position projects competitively through clear federal guidance and technical assistance.

Our streets have become increasingly militarized in the past several months as the Trump administration has ramped up DHS and ICE activity in our cities. This past summer, Congress voted to increase the ICE budget larger than most of the world's militaries.

What is your position on ICE and related immigration enforcement?

I believe immigration enforcement should be lawful, targeted, and consistent with constitutional protections and basic public safety principles. However, local streets and transportation systems should not be treated as enforcement zones. When residents are afraid to walk, take transit, or access public spaces because of immigration enforcement activity, it harms community safety, economic participation, and public health. Public safety works best when communities trust government institutions and feel safe moving through their neighborhoods.

Congress has a responsibility to provide strong oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, ensure funding is used responsibly, and set clear boundaries that prioritize serious threats rather than broad, disruptive operations. I oppose policies that blur the line between civil immigration enforcement and military-style domestic operations.

Ultimately, we need an immigration system that is orderly and humane while maintaining accessible, safe, and welcoming public spaeces for everyone who depends on them to live and work in our communities.