Two running mates of men running to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois Governor were on the Knox campus last night.
State Senator Litesa Wallace, running with Daniel Biss and State Senator Juliana Stratton running with J.B. Pritzker took turns answering questions in front of students and community members.
Addressing income inequality both campaigns advocated for a progressive income tax.
Stratton says that J.B. Pritzker has long addressed a multitude of inequality issues as a private citizen.
Wallace says that not only are women paid less than men, the gap is even greater for men and women of color, “I’m proud that Daniel and I have stood in the General Assembly to protect workers rights to collectively bargain, because it is when you have those types of protections that wages are the same no matter what your race or gender is.”
Both the Pritzker and Biss campaigns are pushing a $15 hour minimum wage.
Both campaigns are also supportive of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois.
Wallace and Stratton both scoff at the argument that it needs to be studied more pointing to programs in other states.
Stratton says it’s a matter of social justice and fiscal responsibility saying that some estimates have legalizing pot bringing up to $700 million of additional revenue to the state.
The Biss campaign supports free college for all financed by a progressive income tax that would have the rich paying more.
Stratton says her campaign is committed to making education accessible, while stopping short of it being free, “Both from J.B. being a leader on early childhood education to looking at what needs to happen in the K-12 space. But also access to higher education and making sure that MAP grants are fully funded and that community colleges have what they need to survive.”
Wallace and Stratton both said they would support term limits for Speaker of the House. Speaker Madigan is currently the longest serving House Speaker in the history of any state.
When asked if he should resign however, they both said that he should serve as a representative as long as his constituents keep voting for him.
