The Tribune Endorses Hannah Billingsley

Hannah's Responses to the Chicago Tribune General Questionnaire 

 

What is the most pressing problem in your district and what’s a key policy you would support to improve the situation?

The most pressing problem in our district is the rising cost of living, driven by high property taxes, increased utility rates, and burdensome state taxes. 

One of my constituents who is a small business owner, Tom, shared with me that he’s looking for a second job because his car insurance premiums have skyrocketed—he’s having to choose between paying for basic necessities and keeping his car on the road to get to work. We need bipartisan solutions to stop stories like Tom’s from becoming the narrative here in Illinois. 

I want to be upfront with you—when I get to Springfield, I’ll be part of the minority party, so I won’t be able to make big changes right away. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be fighting for my Illinoisans. One of the first things I’ll focus on is leading efforts to end the gas tax, which hit working families the hardest. If you look at her voting record, you can see that my opponent follows the lead of special interests, but I’m here to be a voice for the everyday people who feel ignored. My real work will be right here in the district, building stronger local groups, partnering with community organizations, and making sure that despite the challenges coming from Springfield, we’re improving things together from the ground up.

While my opponent has voted for state budgets that raised taxes without providing solutions, I’m committed to working across party lines to tackle these challenges head-on. The rising cost of living shouldn’t be a partisan issue. We need to collaborate with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to lower taxes and make our state more affordable.



The Chicago area's transit agencies are projected to see a fiscal cliff of more than $700 million without action next year. Do you support a state financial solution? What reforms, if any, would you demand from the transit agencies in return?

I met Jim while knocking on doors in Bartlett. Jim has been wheelchair bound for a year. He shared his frustration with PACE. “I never really know when they’re going to show up. Sometimes I have to ride the bus for two hours just to make it to my 8:30am doctor’s appointment. It’s unbelievable and so frustrating.” 

Here's the truth: even with state support, we need to be ready locally. My opponent’s lack of fiscal responsibility has led us to this crisis, and I’m not waiting around for Springfield to get its act together. I’m committed to building a community network right here in this close-knit community, working with volunteers, churches, and local businesses to ensure that no one is left stranded. If you need a ride to work, the doctor, or the grocery store, I want to make sure you have access to reliable transportation, even if state leaders can’t get it done.

Real leadership is about stepping up and finding solutions, not just talking about them. To echo our very own Abraham Lincoln, “Actions speak louder than words.”  My vision is to create a community that flourishes no matter what inactions are taken down in Springfield. 

 

 

Are there parts of the state budget that you would cut? If so, provide at least one example and how much money it would save.

When I get to Springfield, I'll be in the super minority party, meaning I’ll be up against a majority that isn’t interested in hearing our ideas for reducing spending. That’s just the reality. Sure, there are plenty of places where we need to cut back. One big example is the state’s healthcare program for undocumented immigrants. While I believe everyone should have access to basic healthcare, right now Illinois is offering undocumented immigrants healthcare benefits that are better than what our veterans and Medicaid recipients get. This program is expected to cost taxpayers $831 million next year, and unlike Medicaid, the federal government isn’t picking up half the tab. It’s just not sustainable.

Let’s be honest—the super majority in Springfield may not have any interest in tackling this issue with me. I’ll definitely advocate for lower spending in Springfield, but I’m going to focus my energy on what really matters: working with the people in my district to build up our community. We’ve got to prepare ourselves for the higher taxes and excessive spending that are coming because of the reckless budgets my opponent has supported. I’ve said this since the beginning: it’s time we stop looking first to government for solutions, and start looking sideways to our neighbors.

My opponent may call me bananas for believing we can build our community from the ground up, but what's truly crazy is voting for someone who has consistently backed reckless budgets year after year, pushing our government and taxpayers closer to bankruptcy. 



The Chicago Teachers Union says the state "owes" Chicago Public Schools $1.1 billion more in revenue. Would you support greater state assistance to CPS? If so, why? If not, why not?

When CPS and its Teachers Union claim the state "owes" them $1.1 billion, we need to ask where that money is going to come from. Every time Chicago gets a bailout, it pulls resources away from suburban schools—schools that are doing a better job of educating students with far fewer resources. You’ll read somewhere that my opponent voted to increase education spending by $350 million, but most of that money went to CPS and not to our schools here in the suburbs. 

Right as the school year was starting, I met Jenna, who had lived in Chicago for 20 years before moving to West Chicago. Her story highlights a growing trend: families are leaving Chicago because they want something better for their children. We should be making sure the schools these families are choosing have the resources they need to keep delivering results. 

While Chicago continues to receive financial bailout after financial bailout, to prop up what is clearly a broken system, schools in my suburban district are left struggling to make ends meet. This isn't just about funding; it's about fairness. Our schools are delivering better outcomes with fewer resources, yet we’re forced to rely more and more on local property taxes to fill the gap that Springfield should be helping to close.

At a candidate fair at Metea Valley High School, I had the chance to speak with students who were curious, nuanced, and ambitious—students who are truly the future of our community. One group even kept me after hours, engaging me in a lively discussion about equitable solutions to an energy problem. These are the kinds of students we need to be supporting. They deserve a system that works for them. 

 

The ComEd Four convictions and Michael Madigan indictment highlighted the need for genuine ethics reform in Springfield that restores Illinois citizens’ confidence in government, and prevents the abuses of power that have become all too common in the state capital, and have persisted for decades. What is your vision for meaningful, lasting ethics reform in state governance?

The need for meaningful ethics reform in Springfield has never been more apparent, especially after the convictions related to the ComEd scandal and the indictment of Michael Madigan. My vision for ethics reform in Illinois focuses on ensuring transparency, accountability, and restoring public trust in our government.  

My opponent continues to send misleading information to her constituents about my ideas and policy stances. She has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars deceiving voters. Is this unethical? Probably not. Is it immoral? Absolutely.  This is heartbreaking to watch because our neighbors in this community deserve better than this; they deserve leaders who are not merely trying to avoid an ethics violation. They deserve leaders who work with morals and integrity and who lead by example. 

It’s easy to see that what’s going on in Springfield is mostly a morality problem, that probably cannot be fixed with laws passed by the very same people perpetrating the problem. So many of our state legislators, including my opponent, are getting their campaign money from pacs and unions and their own political party. In return, these state reps vote with their party and in favor of these pacs and unions.  Does it break a law? No.  But is what Illinois residents deserve?  Absolutely not. They deserve someone who puts people over politics.   I’ve raised my own money human beings who have been inspired by our Your Dream Matters campaign. Over 214 individuals have donated more that $100,000 to our campaign. I’m most proud of the $1,200 we’ve raised from people my volunteers and I have met knocking on doors. Unlike my opponent, my loyalty is not to a political party or some PAC, but to the people of my community. 

My opponent’s record shows a troubling pattern. She voted for two separate legislative pay raises—a 16% increase in 2023 and an additional 5% in 2024—at a time when Illinois families are struggling with high taxes and economic uncertainty. Prioritizing her own salary increases, rather than addressing the pressing concerns of her constituents, is exactly the kind of action that erodes public confidence in government.

Moreover, my opponent supported the state budget, which included a bailout for ComEd, despite the company being at the center of a corruption scandal that has rocked Illinois politics. Instead of pushing for real ethics reforms in light of these scandals, she voted to protect the status quo. This shows a clear lack of commitment to the kind of transparency and accountability that Illinois desperately needs.

In contrast, my plan includes tightening conflict-of-interest laws, reforming lobbying practices, empowering independent ethics commissions, and promoting a culture of integrity in government. These steps are crucial for restoring trust and preventing the kind of corruption that has plagued Illinois for decades. We need leaders who will stand up for these changes, not just continue with business as usual, and I pledge to be that leader.



Illinois has the second highest real estate property taxes in the country. Please lay out two ways that the state can provide a measure of relief to Illinois homeowners and citizens, and please be specific with your answer.

It’s not a secret - Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country. I hear about it all of the time at the door. A big part of that comes down to my opponent’s reckless fiscal decisions. Take Chicago Public Schools, for example. The state keeps bailing out CPS—a system that’s been failing students for years—while draining resources from suburban communities like ours. These bailouts mean relatively less state support for schools in my district, where we’re actually getting better results. And guess who has to pick up the tab? Suburban homeowners, through higher property taxes, are left covering the shortfall. This is a direct consequence of Springfield’s financial mismanagement.

Now, I can’t single-handedly overhaul the state budget, but I can be a strong voice calling out these wasteful decisions that benefit political insiders while hurting everyday families. I’ll fight for fiscal sanity, not more handouts to broken systems. But my main focus will be right here in our district, helping our community navigate the tough times caused by my opponent’s poor stewardship. We’ll build a neighbor-helping-neighbor network to support those struggling with higher taxes and fewer services. Springfield might not act responsibly, but we can—and we will—take local action to make a real difference in people’s lives.

A vote for me isn’t just a vote against bad policies; it’s a vote for leadership that stands by our community. Together, we’ll work to ease the pain caused by my opponent’s decisions and fight for a smarter, more responsible state government.



Illinois continues to struggle to gain population. It’s projected to lose two more congressional seats in 2030 when those seats are reallocated. What policies would you support to reverse this trend?

The truth is, Springfield isn’t going to solve Illinois' population decline anytime soon. Decades of reckless spending, high taxes, and policies that prioritize insiders over everyday people have driven families and businesses out of the state. If we want to stop this trend, we need fiscal responsibility and leadership that focuses on working families and small businesses. As part of the super minority in Springfield, I won’t have the power to change everything overnight, but I’ll be a strong voice pushing for reforms that put people first.

Unfortunately, my opponent seems focused on what’s happening in Springfield, but I believe the most important part of this job is being present in the district, listening to the people who live here. It’s hard to fully understand the real issues affecting our communities if you’re not actively engaged with them day-to-day. The 49th District deserves a representative who is committed to being part of the community, working alongside residents to address their concerns.

That’s why my focus will be on what we can do locally. I’ll build up our community right here in the 49th District. Take Thomas, a resident I met while going door to door. He told me that his biggest frustration was all the litter that was piling up in his suburban neighborhood.  From that one conversation, I launched Litter Quitters, a volunteer movement that’s already cleaned up 45 bags of trash and made a noticeable difference in our neighborhoods. It’s a small thing, but it shows that when we work together as neighbors, we can solve the problems that impact us and make our community a better place to live.

My campaign is about building stronger neighborhoods where people can pursue their dreams. I’ll advocate for the needs of our district in Springfield, but I know real change starts with us, right here, where we live. We don’t need to wait on a broken state government to lead the way. The power is in our hands to build the kind of community that people want to stay in.

 

 

Public safety continues to be of great concern based on polling, particularly in the city of Chicago. How do you think the Safe-T Act has worked? What policies would you support to better control crime?

Public safety is something we can’t afford to take lightly, especially when it’s affecting the lives of people right here in our neighborhoods. Springfield has a habit of pushing through policies that sound good but don’t deliver real results for everyday people. What’s needed is fiscal responsibility—ensuring that the money we’re spending on public safety is actually making our communities safer, not just paying lip service to reform.

My opponent supported the Safe-T Act without demanding the kind of accountability that’s essential for real change. When we don’t demand transparency and results, we end up with policies that fail the very people they’re supposed to protect. What I support are solutions that work for communities like ours—policies that put resources where they’re needed most and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

Just last month, one of my neighbors texted a group of us to let us know someone had tried to enter her house at 10:30 at night. That’s what my campaign is all about—neighbors helping neighbors. Our communities need to be connected and empowered, because when we look out for each other, we all feel safer. This is the kind of community-focused action I’ll fight for in Springfield—strengthening the bonds between neighbors and ensuring that we have the resources and local support we need to keep our communities safe.

Like when I met Thomas while going door to door and launched Litter Quitters, a movement that’s cleaned up 45 bags of trash already—these small actions make a big difference. When we work together locally, we can build safer, stronger neighborhoods. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to public safety—community-driven, fiscally responsible, and grounded in real-world solutions that actually work.

 

 

Job growth in Illinois lags other parts of the country and has for years. Many of Chicago's and Illinois' budget problems stem from paltry economic growth. What policy or policies would you support to reverse that trend?

Illinois’ lagging job growth is no secret. It’s largely due to the heavy tax burden and confusing regulations that make it hard for businesses to expand. My opponent has supported policies that increase costs and red tape for small business owners, driving them away instead of fostering growth. We need a smarter approach—one that encourages economic development and makes it easier for entrepreneurs to thrive.

For example, I went out with some friends and enjoyed some of those famous carnitas at Chepa’s in West Chicago. The owner joined us at our table and she shared her desire to expand but wasn’t sure how to navigate some of the city’s regulations and initiatives. My team didn’t wait around for Springfield or some government agency to step in. We took the lead and got her the information she needed to start moving forward. This is exactly what my campaign is all about—neighbors helping neighbors, stepping up to make a difference without waiting for the government to solve every problem.

Instead of policies that bog down businesses with high taxes and endless regulations, I’ll fight for fiscal responsibility and clear, supportive pathways for business growth. We need to make it easier, not harder, for people like the owner of Chepa’s to grow their businesses and create jobs right here in our community. Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and by supporting them, we create the kind of job growth that makes Illinois a more attractive place to live and work. 



Give us the best example of when you displayed independence from your party or staked out an unpopular position.

My approach to environmental stewardship is deeply influenced by my faith. I believe that the Earth is a precious gift, and it's our duty to protect and care for it. This belief pushes me beyond the usual party lines, especially when it comes to things like recycling, reducing waste, and composting.

I met Tom while I was out knocking on doors in April. When I asked him what he would change about his community, he said, "Less litter in my neighborhood." I emailed Tom that night to tell him I'd be back in his neighborhood in a few days and that before I knocked on a door, I'd like to pick up litter with him for an hour. I posted something about it on my personal social media, and seven people showed up. We filled up 14 bags of trash. That day, Litter Quitters was formed. Since then, at least once a month, we've been cleaning up our communities, protecting our wildlife, and making a tangible difference in our neighborhoods.

While my opponent talks about big-picture environmental policies, she hasn’t taken meaningful steps to bring about real, local change. Her policies focus on large-scale spending, which places a burden on taxpayers without directly improving the daily lives of residents here in our district. I believe that true environmental progress happens on the ground, with community-driven solutions.

I understand that within my party, there's a bit of worry about how focusing on the environment might affect businesses and the economy. But I'm convinced we can find a middle ground. To me, being environmentally friendly and having a strong economy aren't opposites. We can do both. By investing in clean energy and making sure we're not wasting resources, we're not just helping the planet—we're also opening up new jobs and opportunities.



Why should voters elect you and not your opponent? (Please limit this to policy and approach, not a biography recitation.)

I have a knack for getting to the heart of complex issues and finding common ground. My background in business and recovery has taught me how to listen, adapt, and make decisions that get results. I’m all about practical, collaborative solutions that work for everyone. I believe in moving forward without losing sight of our core values, and my goal is to make sure every law we pass helps our community thrive in a real, tangible way.

What sets me apart is my full-time commitment to serving as your representative. That means I’m always here, listening to your concerns and working on thoughtful policies that reflect the needs of our community. My opponent, on the other hand, often follows the party line without fully considering how those policies impact us locally. Voters deserve a representative who is fully dedicated to the people they serve, not one focused on political insiders.

My experience working with diverse groups of people has honed my ability to build strong, effective partnerships. I understand the importance of bringing people together, whether they're from different political backgrounds or various sectors of the community, to create policies that are both inclusive and effective. I’m committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining an open dialogue with those I represent. 

Lastly, I’m dedicated to maintaining civility and respect, even in difficult situations. Over the past year, I’ve had two opponents, and I’ve consistently treated them with kindness, both publicly and privately. I refuse to engage in the kind of politics that tears people down. Instead, I believe Illinois residents deserve a representative who is focused on them, their needs, and their dreams - not focused on clickbait mailers and deceptive ads.