Robin Kelly, Candidate for Congress (2nd District)

Candidate Full Name: Robin Kelly

Office: Congressional Representative Illinois 2nd District

Party: Democrat

Email Address: info@robinkellyforcongress.com

Web Site: robinkellyforcongress.com

Campaign Name: Robin Kelly for Congress

Campaign Office Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6953, Chicago, IL 60680

Phone: 708.320.9305

Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)

1. How would your representation of your constituents be different from what they've experienced the past 17 years?

Over the last 17 years, technological advances have changed the way that we communicate with one another greatly. Twitter is not yet 6 years old. Facebook is 8. The internet itself only became available to the average citizen over the last 20 years. As a state representative and leader in government, I always sought to find the best ways to communicate with those that I served. As Congresswoman, embracing technological advances to better serve my constituents is a natural choice.

2. Can the budget deficit be controlled only by spending cuts or does the federal government need to raise more revenue? If you favor more revenue, should there be a general tax hike?

A combination of spending reductions and increases in revenue will be necessary. We should move toward a balanced budget by making intelligent cuts to spending, such as reducing the defense spending, as requested by the Pentagon. It is unfathomable that the Pentagon could tell Congress that funds were not needed, and yet Congress would send them the funds anyway. Additionally, we must support President Obama and ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share, thus increasing our revenue.

3. How would you help create jobs in your district?

The first thing we can do to foster private sector job growth is remove the uncertainty Washington has artificially created. Until just a few weeks ago the GOP was threatening to stop paying our bills. For the last two years the GOP has been forcing Washington to lurch from crisis to crisis. By governing responsibly we can give the private sector the clarity it needs to start investing again.

We should also update how our unemployment system works to connect unemployed workers to businesses looking to hire. In exchange for training unemployed workers the employers can have a trial period to see if a new worker is a good fit and the unemployed person gets new skills regardless. This program would have very little cost and is already working in other states.

4. Do you support stricter guns laws? If so, what would you propose?

I am the only candidate in the race that has put forth a five point pledge to reduce gun violence, and create a website to showcase it. RobinKellyPledge.com. This pledge includes banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, closing the gunshow loophole, opposing concealed carry permits, and not taking funds from organizations, like the NRA, that oppose commonsense gun safety legislation. I am proud of my "F" rating from the NRA, and will always stand up to them in Congress.

5. Do you support changes to transportation infrastructure, such as extending the CTA Red Line to 130th Street or building a third airport in Peotone?

I am committed to moving the Peotone South Suburban Airport forward. While O'Hare International is consistently ranked as one of the world's top airports for volume of passengers handled, it ranks 18th for air cargo handled. Peak periods for air freight tend to be late at night and the lack of adjacent residential neighborhoods clearly makes the Peotone site superior to O'Hare. We know that most air freight moving under 400 miles actually goes by truck and the combination of I-57 and the proposed Illiana Expressway further contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the South Suburban Airport as an international freight hub. The airport, Illiana Expressway, and Red Line extension are critical transportation projects which I am committed to completing as your next Congresswoman.

Click Here to return to the Online Candidates Forum Main Page