This year’s midterm elections saw several history-making moments — including in Illinois, where five new people are headed to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, a Democrat, won Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District to replace U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. The outgoing lawmaker has served since 2013 but opted not to seek reelection during a failed U.S. Senate bid.
Democrat Patty García secured Illinois’ 4th Congressional District against three other candidates. She was formerly chief of staff to the outgoing congressman, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, no relation.
Meanwhile, in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, state Rep. La Shawn Ford brought home a victory. The Democrat will replace longtime U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who is retiring after 15 terms in Congress.
Miller, García and Ford joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss their priorities and what comes next.
During her victory speech, Miller referred to the 2nd District as a “microcosm of America” due to the district’s urban, suburban and rural areas. She said while the areas may look different, many of her constituents’ needs are the same.
“We feel affordability is at issue, we also feel that healthcare is at issue,” Miller said. “That is common no matter where you are throughout the 2nd Congressional District and no matter where you are in all of America. I’ve been up and down the district throughout this entire time and have found that people are talking about the same things no matter where they are.”
Besides addressing affordability, Miller has other aspirations during her time in office, including plans to build an airport in Chicago’s south suburbs. She said she has already gained support for the project from unions and local elected officials.
“The 2nd District is also the largest logistical hub in all of North America, which is very important,” Miller said. “So we have rail, we have transportation through trucking. To have the airport would be the trifecta, and that’s what I’m looking to build.”
During her time as Cook County commissioner, Miller fought for healthcare access for all. She said she will continue this fight on the national stage.
“People are concerned about healthcare,” Miller said. “We want to put that $1 billion back into the budget for the Medicaid that was cut out. Also, I want to see an expansion of that. You know, my district is like many other districts where seniors are living longer. So we need to also have healthcare that includes hearing, vision and dental care. And we can put that back in when we’re reformulating and seeing what that looks like.”
García became the first woman elected to lead Illinois’ 4th Congressional District, the only Latino-majority district in the Midwest, an honor that she said comes with a lot of responsibility.
“As I think about what’s going on with the attacks on the immigrant community, the Mexican community, it’s important for me to ensure that we pay it forward and that we do work and we deliver for the communities here and hold agencies like ICE accountable to make sure that people feel reflected in Congress and that their experiences are reflected not just because someone is there with their culture but because they’re bringing in that experience that is needed in terms of advocacy,” García said.
Before the March primary, García faced public scrutiny as she collected signatures earning her a spot on the ballot as Jesús “Chuy” García abruptly announced his retirement. She said she will continue to fight for many of the same values he did.
“I know that I have to continue that legacy, continue the work to protect families, keeping families together, making sure we fight for a path to citizenship, but it also means making sure that we continue to build a pipeline,” Patty García said. “He’s done an incredible job building a pipeline of progressive leaders across every level of office and I know that’s the other responsibility I have to continue.”
García said she sees her former chief of staff role as an advantage when it comes to building relationships in Washington.
“I can say that I come in already knowing some of the staff from leadership, staff from the caucuses,” García said. “I’ve been in the trenches with them, literally, trying to advance policy and making sure that we are delivering for our communities across the country.”
Ford discussed filling the shoes of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, noting that he wants to continue the longtime lawmaker’s legacy. Ford said the pair worked closely together and that he received an early endorsement from Davis during the campaign.
“For 20 years, working with him as a state rep., we’re ready to go to work on Day 1,” Ford said. “That’s what you want for a government, you want a good transition so that you can go and do the work on Day 1, and that’s what we have.”
Ford also reflected on his time leading Illinois’ 8th House District for the last two decades.
“Our goal, and my goal, is really to make sure that we deliver for Illinois,” Ford said. “I know, exactly, as a state legislator, … what the county needs, what the districts need. I know what our state partners would need in the General Assembly, and I look forward to fighting for them.”
On the topic of affordability, Ford said he will seek to help end the war in Iran and look for alternative revenue sources to get prices back down.
“We have to figure out how we’re gonna take away the tax break to the billionaires and bring that revenue back in so that we can pay for healthcare, so that we can expand Social Security and protect SNAP benefits for states,” Ford said.
