Illinois

Illinois Democrats
by Delia Infantes

            Illinois mirrors the diverse terrain of our US nation. Gorgeous cities, rich countryside, and beautiful national forest make up the twenty-first state of our North America. Illinois, a moderately sized state, consists of 57, 918 square miles with the latest recorded population of an estimated 11, 846,544. Springfield is the capital of Illinois, although Chicago is its largest and most-well known city with the population standing at an outstanding 2,784,000. However, this estimate was taken in 1990, and is likely to have increased since.
             The educational achievement of all persons 25 years and older is as follows: 750,932 have less than a ninth grade education, 2,187,372 have high school diplomas, 989,808 have B.A.'s , and 545,188 have a master's or a Doctorate's degree. In respects to income, the personal income per capita is $26,598. The major races in Illinois in 1990 consists of whites, which make up 75% of the state's population, blacks make up, 14% Hispanics consist of 8.3%, and Asians make up 1.7%. In Illinois the female gender makes up more of the Illinois population standing at 51%, while the male population stands at 49%.
            The present governor is Jim Edgar, a Republican whose term expires this year. In regard to the voting percentage in November of 1994 , 42% of all registered voters voted, but only 63% of all those qualified to vote are registered. In the last presidential campaign of 1996, 58% voted for Clinton, 40% voted for Dole, and 2% voted for Perot. In 1992 the majority also voted for Clinton. The total number of representatives is 20, half are Democratic and the other half is Republican. The number of electoral votes stands at 22.   As for the economy, the leading industries are service industries, manufacturing, finance, real estate, and insurance. Illinois' leading agricultural commodities are corn, soybean, hogs, and cattle.
The Democratic Party of Illinois and where it stands on certain issues are recorded in the following paragraphs. Starting with social policy, secondly, equal rights, and lastly, economic issues.
            Education-- To the Democratic state party the education of today's children is first priority. The Democrats feel the future generation, our children, ought to be endowed with the abilities essential to compete in the global world market. Why is this so important? Because only with educated persons, with capabilities able to run in the world market, will our country be secured in terms of our social durability and our economic future. How will our children become as sufficient? Education is the key term. But, presently our beloved Republican General Assembly has reduced education funding twelve percent! It dropped from a steady 48% of overall state spending to a drastically low 35% of overall state spending. As a result of this drastic cut, Illinois schools are falling below average school standards! The Democratic State party of Illinois is in full support of fair school funding, equal educational opportunity, and bilingual education. While money will clearly help our children's education, it must be recognized that parents also play an imperative role in their children's learning. When and only when a Democratic governor is installed then we shall see the rapid improvement of our nation's education system. Senator Moseley-Braun hustled to bestow $5 billion to the reconstructing of our nation's educational facilities; however, the Republicans did pass it.   Nevertheless, President Clinton did succeed in creating tax laws that basically ensure every American at least 2 years of college and he also passed a tax deduction for tuition cost, which has made it easier and more affordable for thousand of kids to enter higher education institutions. To ensure that every American get a college education, the Democratic Party of Illinois will succeed in making higher education affordable by looking for ways to assist the working class with the high cost of tuition.
            Social security and Senior citizens-- Cutting health care for seniors so that the rich may get a tax break is a pretty sad concept, but apparently the Republicans do not think so. The Democratic Party is in full support of assisting our senior citizens in every way possible. The need to regulate the rising costs for health care, to protect the benefits of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are all issues that the Democratic Party fully promote and support. Such programs are the reason that our senior citizens are able to live comfortably and independently. Social security has the full vote of the Democratic party.
            Welfare-- The welfare system has benefited many Americans, but at the same time caused an unintended consequence, that is, that for many it has become a way of life instead of just a benefit. Therefore; the Democratic party of Illinois favors the terms of the 1996 federal welfare reform law, that calls for every able-bodied person to work. They fully support the Earned Income Tax Credit, which enables the working class to sustain independence, which by the way is currently under attack by the Republicans. The Democratic Party is for sustaining and increasing job training and programs that will help remove families from welfare and onto jobs!
            Abortion -- The Democratic Party of Illinois favors the right of choice for every female. Every individual is at liberty to make decisions for herself especially in important matters such as these. Only the individual woman is best at taking responsibilities for her actions, and not the state. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party strongly believes that all Americans should unite in the goal to decrease the abortion rate and to make it more rare.   They are in full support of contraceptive research.
            Health Care--Because health care is such an important issue to families all throughout America, the Democratic party of Illinois supports the new Kennedy-Rassebaum law and Illinois legislation. This law gives all individuals with pre-existing conditions, the guarantee of health insurance and health care. The health of all persons is crucial; therefore, the Democrats strongly support Medicare and Medicaid. They believe legislative action must be carried out in order to promote and guarantee the endurance of programs as such. The Democratic state party of Illinois, through their health care proposals, ensure the longevity of programs such as Medicaid and Medicare and do so without any extra cost. On the contrary, they actually save money.
            Gun Control/ Crime-- The Democratic party of Illinois places a lot of emphasis on punishment, but at the same time notes the importance of prevention in respect to crime, which has become a daily problem and obstacle in the way of order and peace. They are in total support of the assault weapons ban and Brady Law, which no doubt is making Illinois communities safer. Of course, it is no surprise that the Republicans are making a effort to legalize the carrying of weapons this will only lead to future trouble and danger on the streets of Illinois. One of the most successful ways to fight and avoid crime is by community policing. President Clinton's crime bill put 100,000 cops on the streets of America. As a result of the bill, there will be an estimated 2,300 more cops in Illinois, which then means the officers will get to know the people they are protecting and inhabitants will get acquainted with their police. Hence, more community policing will lead to an increase in the amount of communication and information between residents and cops. Which then leads to stopping the crime before it actually starts.
            Drugs-- Because drug use plays a big role is causing crime, the Democratic Party is stressing public education and tough enforcement of drug-related crimes to prevent the war on drugs.    They fully support D.A.R.E., which has given many youngsters windows of opportunity to become independent and steered them towards the better life.
Workers This Democratic Party of Illinois favors procedures that bestow full coverage of health insurance on employees. They support job training, education, pension opportunities, and safety for the workingman. The Democratic in Congress help passed last year's increase for minimum wage to $5.15 an hour. And the Democrats continue in their efforts to maintain an appropriate minimum wage for the working class of America.
            Race/Civil and Equal rights-- Economic opportunity must be available to all in order for the potential of our country to fulfill its highest point. Therefore, Americans must be not be judged on basis of sex, age race, and gender. No American is to be discriminated against by law and the Democratic Party of Illinois has confirmed its pledge to this rule, by supporting the Civil Rights Acts and the Americans with disabilities Act. They are firm believers of affirmative action, employment, housing, business, education, and government service.
            Environment-- The Democratic party of Illinois fully supports and firmly elieves in the freedom that Americans should live in a clean and refreshing environment, with clean air and sanitary water. They support the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Community Right-to-know laws that protect the wellness of the American people.
Economic Growth The Democratic Party of Illinois is extremely proud of Clinton's achievement in revitalizing job growth. Nine million jobs all around the country have been created since 1993. Clinton has done away with our national deficit, which has given many Americans the chance to refinance their home mortgages. The Democrats are always in favor of raising capital in small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities. All in all though, the Democrats want to continue efforts to construct a climate where both businesses, big and small, can succeed and thrive.
            As you can obviously see the Democratic Party of Illinois will continue their efforts to keep our jobs secure, maintain the safety of our families, and give us new opportunities for an improved life. They will lead us towards the path with a better future and hand to us a better tomorrow.