I've never backed down from a fight. I'm not backing down now.
I am a Jewish woman, a mother, and a former union member. I was raised with the values of Tikkun Olam—the responsibility to repair a broken world—and the belief that we are judged not by our words, but by how we treat the most vulnerable among us.
Fifteen years ago, I learned exactly what that responsibility looks like. My husband was in a life-threatening car accident. In a single second, he almost lost his life, and my boys almost lost their father. As we sat by that hospital bed, our insurance company tried to walk away. They tried to cancel our coverage, leaving us under a mountain of medical bills and facing bankruptcy.
Our insurance company thought I would back down. Big mistake. They picked a fight with the wrong woman.
I didn’t just see a legal battle; I saw a moral one. I refused to let a broken system take everything we had worked for. That fight changed me. It turned a survivor into a fighter, and that fighter into a legislator. I didn’t run for office to be someone; I ran to do something. For the last 13 years, I’ve used that same tenacity to pass nearly 200 laws—from taking on the insurance giants to unmasking ICE.
I’m running for Congress in IL-09 to prove that when we stand up to powerful interests, we win.
What will you fight for? Tell me about it. Then let’s go get it done, together.
Laura's Agenda
Laura's Agenda
Lowering Health Care Costs and Taking
on the Insurance Giants
I believe health care is a human right. My faith teaches me that every life is precious — and that we’re responsible for each other. No one should have to choose between getting the care they need and keeping a roof over their head. In Congress, I’m going to take on the insurance giants, lower costs, and fight for health care you can count on
Agenda:
I support Medicare for All because no one should be forced to choose between their health and putting food on the table
I will fight for a public option as a bridge to help deliver universal coverage for every American
Require mental health care to be covered the same as physical health care
Cap out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and take on price gouging
Invest in medical research that closes health disparities
Protect rural and safety-net hospitals and expand access to maternity care, emergency care, and behavioral health
Record
Removed prior authorization requirements for intensive outpatient mental health care
Stopped insurance premiums from being diverted into CEO bonuses
Given the Department of Insurance authority to reject excessive premium increases
Banned “step therapy,” so insurers can’t override what doctors prescribe
Supported caps on insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers
Banned junk insurance plans and strengthened protections so coverage actually covers your health care needs
Protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
Seniors deserve to retire with dignity. In Congress, I’ll protect Social Security and Medicare, lower prescription drug costs, and block any attempt to cut the benefits people have earned — period.
Agenda:
Oppose any effort to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid
Lift the cap on Social Security payroll taxes so high-income earners contribute fairly
Expand Medicare to include vision and dental coverage
Rein in abuses in Medicare Advantage and strengthen Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices
Record
Advanced policies that expand access to care, lower prescription drug costs, and protect seniors and people with disabilities.
Standing Up to Special Interests to
Protect Consumers
I didn’t just take on the insurance giants for my own family — I turned that fight into a career of standing up to powerful industries on behalf of yours. I’ve passed some of Illinois’ toughest consumer protections, and I’m ready to bring that same backbone to Congress.
Agenda:
Pass strong data privacy protections so your personal information can’t be exploited online
Hold social media companies accountable for how they target kids — and stop designs built to keep teens hooked
Crack down on junk fees and require real, upfront price transparency
Ban PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in consumer products — especially products used by children
Support clear federal rules for cryptocurrency and digital assets that protect consumers and give responsible innovators stable rules (including legislation like the Clarity Act)
Record
Required baby food manufacturers to test for toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic
Banned colleges and universities from withholding transcripts because of past debt
Strengthened safety and inspection standards for trampoline parks to better protect children and teens
Required transparency so consumers know what travel insurance covers — and what it doesn’t
Lowering Costs and Building Economic Security
for Working Families
Working families deserve an economy that works for us — not just the people at the top with the best lobbyists. My focus in Congress will be on bringing costs down, making taxes fair, and stopping corporate practices that create barriers to families' ecnomic security.
Agenda:
Make the ultra-wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share — so teachers and first responders aren’t paying a higher effective tax rate than millionaires
Raise the federal minimum wage to $25/hour and make sure it keeps up with inflation
Crack down on monopolies and corporate consolidation that drive up prices and crush competition
Take on private equity for buying up homes and hospitals — raising costs while cutting quality
Rein in predatory bank fees and abusive credit card interest rates
Cut red tape for small businesses and entrepreneurs — not big corporations with armies of lawyers
Record:
Built a record of taking on industries that profit from people’s health and financial insecurity
Blocked insurance premiums from being used for CEO bonuses
Delivered millions in operational and capital funding for local nonprofits, minority-owned small businesses, social service agencies, food pantries, arts institutions, and municipalities across our district
Education
Every student deserves a strong public education and a real path to opportunity — no matter their zip code, their income, or their background. In Congress, I’ll fight for well-funded public schools, affordable college, and the support students need to thrive.
Agenda:
Strengthen and fully fund the Department of Education
Increase federal funding to improve teacher pay, modernize school buildings, and expand access to updated technology
Make community college free and expand grants for textbooks
Expand student loan forgiveness — especially in high-need fields — and reform the student loan system to reduce long-term debt burdens
Expand early childhood education programs like Head Start
Record
Created student loan forgiveness for mental health and human services workers
Required colleges and universities to have policies accommodating students with physical and mental disabilities
Supported an annual $350 million increase in state funding for K–12 education (since 2019)
Championed legislation to raise minimum teacher pay, recruit diverse educators, expand early childhood education, and ensure students can access mental health resources
Investing in Innovation and
Responsible Technology
I want America to lead the world in innovation, and I want the next generation of jobs and breakthroughs built right here at home. That means investing in cutting-edge industries like AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and blockchain — and creating clear rules of the road that protect consumers without smothering innovation. In Congress, I’ll back the builders, support responsible entrepreneurship, and make sure the future is made in America — not overseas.
Agenda:
Invest in research and next-generation industries — from clean energy to advanced manufacturing to AI — to create good-paying jobs and keep the U.S. competitive
Strengthen support for research universities and national labs, and expand partnerships that turn discoveries into breakthroughs in medicine, cybersecurity, and clean energy
Create clear, common-sense rules for digital assets that protect consumers, provide regulatory clarity for innovators, and keep the next generation of crypto and blockchain jobs built in the U.S.
Support entrepreneurs and startups with access to capital, mentorship, and procurement opportunities so innovation isn’t limited to the biggest corporations
Modernize privacy and consumer protection laws to crack down on scams and fraud while preserving the ability to build and compete
Advance responsible AI policy that supports innovation and American leadership while protecting civil rights, privacy, and election integrity, including safeguards against deepfakes and deceptive uses
Record
Written and passed laws that protect consumers and rein in industries that abuse their power
Delivered resources that strengthen local organizations and support communities across our district
Fighting for Workers & The Middle Class
Before I was a State Senator, I was a proud, card-carrying member of the University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100. I know fair wages and safe working conditions weren’t handed to us — they were won. In Congress, I’m going to be a champion for workers and unions, because working people built this country and we deserve to share in its success.
Agenda:
Support the PRO Act and protect the right to organize
End union-busting tactics and captive audience meetings nationwide
Raise wages, strengthen overtime protections, and enforce workplace safety laws
Protect public pensions and retirement security
Record:
Won bargaining rights for graduate assistants and research assistants
Required wage transparency in job postings, including pay scales and benefits
Supported the effort to ban mandatory anti-union captive audience meetings
Passed paid break time protections for nursing mothers
Defending Reproductive Freedom
I believe every person deserves the freedom to make decisions about their own body and their future, without politicians interfering. In my tradition, the health and life of the mother are paramount. These decisions belong to patients, families, and doctors. I’ve fought to make Illinois a national leader in reproductive freedom, and I’ll keep fighting to protect these rights nationwide.
Agenda:
Codify access to abortion, contraception, IVF, gender-affirming care, and the full range of reproductive care nationwide
Shield providers from frivolous and targeted lawsuits
Fully fund Planned Parenthood and other providers delivering essential reproductive care
Record
Banned housing and hiring discrimination based on reproductive health care decisions
Expanded insurance coverage for infertility treatments to include LGBTQ+ couples and single parents
Championed legislation protecting the right to choose, expanding access to gender-affirming care, and protecting providers from out-of-state criminalization
Ending Gun Violence & Building Safe Communities
I know a single second can change a family forever. I’m tired of “thoughts and prayers” from politicians who refuse to act. I’ve taken on the gun lobby, fought for an assault weapons ban, and closed loopholes that let dangerous people access firearms. But safety is bigger than any one law, it’s about preventing violence, protecting survivors, responding to mental health crises, and making sure every family can live without fear. In Congress, I’ll push for common-sense gun safety and proven community-based strategies that keep people safe.
Agenda:
Pass a federal assault weapons ban and ban high-capacity magazines
Require licensing and safety training before purchasing firearms
Enact safe storage laws to keep guns out of the hands of children
Hold the gun industry to the same liability standards as other industries
Pass a nationwide red flag law so firearms can be temporarily removed from people who pose a danger to themselves or others
Invest in proven violence prevention and intervention programs and expand resources for mental health crisis response
Strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence and ensure abusers can’t access firearms
Record
Supported the SAFE-T Act and other reforms that strengthen public safety while investing in prevention and accountability
Fought to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
Strengthened and expanded Illinois’ red flag law to prevent individuals in a mental health crisis from accessing firearms
Supported laws requiring safe storage and stronger enforcement against ghost guns
Voted to require police to confiscate firearms from domestic abusers and strengthened enforcement to keep guns out of the hands of violent offenders
Sponsored “Louie’s Law” to bring drug prevention resources and supports into our schools
Supported universal background checks and legislation requiring gun sellers to be licensed
Affordable Housing
I believe housing is a human right. Families should be able to afford to live in the communities they love, without being pushed out by corporate landlords or priced out by rising costs. In Congress, I’ll push to build more housing, protect renters, and crack down on practices that drive up costs.
Agenda:
Crack down on private equity and corporate landlords buying up homes and driving up rents
Push zoning reforms that make it easier to build more housing — especially near public transportation
Fund grant programs that increase housing supply, especially in marginalized communities
Expand rental assistance and strengthen tenant protections so families can stay housed
Record:
Created the Cook County Housing Trust Fund to ensure public housing and rental assistance programs have the resources they need
Climate, Clean Water, and the Great Lakes
Protecting our air and water isn’t abstract, it’s about kids’ asthma, safe drinking water, and whether our communities can withstand extreme storms. I led the charge to cut down on plastic waste and ban harmful products like Styrofoam. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting to protect the Great Lakes and treat climate change like the crisis it is.
Agenda:
Ramp up renewable energy, strengthen our electric grid, and electrify transportation, housing, and manufacturing
Strengthen clean water protections and expand funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
End fossil fuel subsidies and hold polluters accountable
Ban single-use plastics, Styrofoam, and PFAS chemicals
Put environmental justice communities at the center of climate decisions and enforcement
Rein in the overuse of pesticides and herbicides
Fully fund the EPA and ensure environmental laws are enforced
Record
Reduced plastic pollution by banning single-use personal care products in hotels and banning state agencies and universities from purchasing Styrofoam
Sponsored the Drug Take Back Act to keep unused medications out of our waterways
Protected pollinators from harmful pesticides
Helped pass legislation banning PFAS chemicals from a range of products
Championed the Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (100% clean energy by 2050 and major emissions reductions)
Championed legislation creating a plan to replace lead pipes across Illinois
Championed the Clean and Reliable Grid Act (3GW battery storage and stronger air quality regulations for data centers)
Civil Rights, Democracy, and Combating Hate at Home and Abroad
I believe democracy only works when everyone is treated with dignity, and everyone can participate without fear. My faith teaches me to show up for people, especially when it’s hard. In Congress, I’ll protect voting rights, defend LGBTQ+ communities, confront hate, and keep our communities safe.
Agenda:
Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Expand same-day and automatic voter registration nationwide
Protect election workers and strengthen protections against voter intimidation
Pass the Equality Act and ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Ban conversion therapy and eliminate the LGBTQ+ panic defense
Protect access to gender-affirming care and expand funding for LGBTQ+ mental health supports
Expand security grants to protect synagogues, mosques, schools, and community centers
Confront antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and political violence — and invest in prevention, education, and accountability
Record:
Passed legislation preventing discrimination in housing and hiring based on reproductive health care decisions
Made it easier for trans and gender non-conforming people to update the gender marker on their birth certificate
Supported key civil rights legislation — including LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum, banning conversion therapy, recognizing same-sex marriage statewide, and strengthening enforcement against discrimination
Expanded coverage for PrEP, infertility treatments, and gender-affirming care
Championed voting rights legislation that expanded early voting, strengthened vote-by-mail, improved accessibility for voters with disabilities, expanded polling locations, and made Election Day a state holiday
Delivered over $40 million through the Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program to protect synagogues, day schools, and community institutions
Sponsored legislation designating May as Jewish American Heritage Month in Illinois, adopted unanimously
Championed major funding for the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and secured funding for the Mobile Museum of Tolerance
Worked with Northwestern and UIUC to protect Jewish students from rising antisemitism on campus
Organized and participated in press conferences condemning antisemitic incidents and hate flyers on the North Shore in coordination with ADL and partners
Immigration and American Leadership Abroad
I believe we can have secure borders and still treat people humanely. Families shouldn’t live in fear, and our immigration system shouldn’t be cruel. My faith teaches me to welcome the stranger and to protect the vulnerable. I also believe America should lead with our values: defending democracy, protecting human rights, supporting allies, and preventing conflict whenever possible. In Congress, I’ll fight for policies that reflect both our security and our conscience.
Agenda — Immigration & Civil Liberties
Pass legislation giving DACA (Dreamers) the peace of mind that their ability to stay in the U.S. will never be under threat again
Reform the asylum and green card systems by increasing the number of immigration judges and asylum officers to reduce backlogs and ensure timely, orderly processing
Ensure individuals seeking asylum or a green card have a fair hearing, access to legal representation, and a system that adjudicates cases efficiently while upholding the rule of law
Abolish ICE and replace it with a humane, accountable immigration system that upholds due process, respects human rights, and treats immigrants with dignity.
Protect civil liberties while supporting safety and resilience
Agenda — Foreign Policy & American Leadership
Reassert Congressional power over military engagements and tariff policy
Require the President to consult and seek Congressional approval before any new military engagement or major tariff action
Promote stability in the Middle East by advocating for a two-state solution so Palestinians and Israelis can live side-by-side in peace and dignity
Support an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by ensuring food and medicine can reach civilians at scale
Support a swift, sustainable end to the Russia–Ukraine war that protects Ukrainian security and sovereignty
Repair relationships harmed by extremist, authoritarian-friendly foreign policy and strengthen alliances that keep Americans safe
Secure trade relationships that support jobs and small businesses here at home
Reform USAID and strengthen global public health efforts to prevent the next pandemic
Rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and lead international climate and plastic pollution negotiations
Record
Championed and passed nation-leading immigration legislation that creates a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, increases protections at day cares, hospitals, and schools, and allows individuals to sue federal agents who violate constitutional rights — with penalties for masked agents
Introduced legislation barring ICE officers hired under the Trump administration from taking state and local law enforcement jobs
Worked for years through Hands of Peace, bringing Israeli, Palestinian, and American teenagers together to listen, share their stories, and imagine a future beyond violence
Served as Co-Chair of the Illinois Senate Legislative Jewish Caucus and led efforts to confront antisemitism and political violence
Supported collaborations between Illinois institutions and Israeli universities on research in public health, mental health, and clean energy