October 2020 Magazine

FEATURE
The Local Candidates
Liam Tucker
Jade Foo
This election, Lake County voters have the chance to weigh in on 15 ballot items. They can vote on the president, legislators, judicial
retention, countywide offices, a state constitutional amendment and the potential merging of two offices. Here is a rundown of a few
of the choices voters get to make. Unless otherwise stated, all quotes are taken from the candidates’ campaign websites.
Fair Tax Amendment
This proposed amendment would grant Illinois the ability to set a graduated tax rate. Currently, Illinois has a flat tax rate of
4.95%. In a graduated tax system, different income levels can be taxed at different rates. If the amendment passes and the
Democrats’ initial plan is enacted, the first $10,000 of income will be taxed at a rate of 4.75%, with successive income taxed at a
higher rate, until income beyond $1 million will be taxed at a rate of 7.95%. Those rates can be changed with future legislation.
Supporters of the Fair Tax Amendment believe it creates a more fair tax system. Illinois has a large state debt and deficit, and
they believe the Fair Tax Amendment would allow Illinois to raise more funds without increasing taxes on those most in need.
They cite that, initially, taxes will not go up on the first $250,000 of income. Opponents point out that the new tax rates aren’t
necessarily permanent. If the amendment passes, legislators will be able to raise taxes on those with higher incomes again. They
believe the amendment will inevitably lead to higher taxes on the majority of Illinois citizens and hurt the economy.
US Senate
Richard J Durbin Jr. (D)
Richard “Dick” Durbin has represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate
since 1996. The second-ranking Democratic member in the
Senate, Durbin has fought to “defend and build on the Affordable
Care Act.” Durbin prioritizes creating jobs and fostering
economic growth in Illinois. He introduced the Dream Act into
the Senate in 2001, which protects the legal status of Dreamers,
and introduced the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice
reform bill signed into law in 2018. Durbin is the incumbent.
Mark C Curran Jr. (R)
Mark C. Curran Jr. is running for the Senate for the first time.
A former Lake County Sheriff and county, state and federal
prosecutor, Curran supports “building the wall” and merit-based
immigration reform. Curran opposes tax increases and prioritizes
reducing the national debt. He stresses that he is pro-life,
pro-gun, pro-law enforcement, pro-capitalism and supports
school choice and term limits. Curran is for “expanding choice
and competition in our health care system.” Curran claimed in an
email that he has been “showing independence” his whole career,
citing that he first ran for Lake County Sheriff as a Democrat.
Curran is the challenger.
IL 10th House District
Brad Schneider (D)
Brad Schneider represented the 10th District, which includes
Libertyville, in the House of Representatives from 2013-2015 and
again since 2017. Considered among the most bipartisan
members of Congress by Quorum Analytics, Schneider
prioritizes creating economic growth to aid the middle class
and is a member of the Small Business Committee. He supports
protecting the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Social Security.
Schneider is pro-choice, pro-environment and pro-LGBT rights.
He believes the U.S. must “combine a strategic defense policy
with diplomacy and development” and believes the U.S. should
remain influential in foreign policy. Schneider is the incumbent.
Valerie Ramirez Mukherjee (R)
Ramirez Muhkerjee is running for the House of Representatives
for the first time. A first-generation college graduate, she
promotes her background as an entrepreneur, not a politician.
Ramirez Muhkerjee prioritizes creating well-paying jobs,
improving educational outcomes and decreasing taxes. She is
a “pro-choice, pro-climate, moderate Republican” -- socially
moderate and fiscally conservative. Ramirez Mukherjee believes
in personal responsibility and that everyone deserves the
opportunity to succeed. She supports transparency and
accountability in politics. Ramirez Mukherjee is the challenger.
8 DROPS OF INK