Barbara Flynn Currie.
State Representative, 25th District
Issues
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Working Families
Economy
"When everybody pays their own share, and everybody gets a fair shake, we all win!"
Barbara Flynn Currie led the charge for a higher state minimum wage and won. She supports tax incentives that make housing more affordable. Although more needs to be done, Barbara helped pass caps on property tax increases. She fully supports the income tax swap to fund education adequately and equitably. Barbara led the fight to crack down on predatory lending.
Health Care
"Health care is a basic human right."
Barbara Flynn Currie supported the All Kids program, which provided affordable health care for all Illinois children. She helped create a safety net for low-income seniors so they're not left without the medications they need. Barbara continues to work with organizations like the Illinois Campaign for Better Health Care to make universal health care a reality.
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Stronger Communities
Crime
"Perhaps we'll see fewer street crimes when there are fewer guns on the streets, fewer children without health care, and fewer people working three jobs just to get by."
Barbara Flynn Currie is a strong proponent of the statewide assault weapons ban. She was a major sponsor of the bill which closed the "gun show" loophole. Today everyone at a gun show needs to submit to a criminal background check before they can buy a firearm.
Barbara is a strong supporter of expanding drug treatment programs. She supports expunging non-violent criminal offenses for people who change their ways. This will allow those who made mistakes early in life to move on and get a job.
Local Projects
"I'm proud of my community and I work hard to protect and expand our resources."
Barbara has helped ensure funding for worthwhile organizations and projects including:
- Reconstruction for Lake Shore Drive
- South Side YMCA
- Hyde Park Neighborhood Club
- Rebecca Crown Center
- South East Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center (SEADAC)
- Woodlawn East Community & Neighbors (WECAN)
- The Blue Gargoyle
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Social Justice
Equal Rights
"Everyone deserves to be treated fairly, and we should each be judged by the content of our character. Without equal rights, our lives will never be as rich nor our society as strong as it should be."
Barbara Flynn Currie was the first woman named House Majority Leader in the state's history. She led the charge for the 2003 Equal Pay Act, which guarantees equal pay for Illinois working women. Barbara is a strong supporter of affirmative action and state contracts for minority and women owned businesses.
Environment
"Clean air and clean water: What could be more basic to a civil society?"
Last year, Barbara was honored with a first-ever lifetime legislative achievement award from the Illinois Environmental Council. Her bill to ban Internet sales of poisonous pesticides to unlicensed buyers has passed the Illinois House and awaits action in the Senate.
Political Reform
"It's time to clean up our political landscape."
Barbara supports public financing of elections. She's worked hard to expand lobbyist reporting requirements. She thinks it's time to stop free travel, free lodging, free meals, and free entertainment for lawmakers and government bureaucrats.
