Our planet is telling us something is very wrong. Our farms are seeing more frequent droughts one year and then catastrophic floods the next. Our suburbs have endured “once-in-a-century” storms that now hit every few years, overwhelming aging stormwater systems. Whether you’re a farmer, a homeowner, or a young person worried about your future, it’s clear: climate change is here, and it’s an existential crisis. Scientists warn we have only a small window left to drastically cut emissions and prevent the worst outcomes. But I also see tremendous opportunity: tackling climate change is our chance to reinvent our economy, create millions of jobs, and address long-standing environmental injustices. Illinois, especially our district, with its mix of agriculture, industry, and innovation can lead the way with a Green New Deal that benefits all of us. I refuse to let the cynics say this can’t be done. We have the science, the solutions, and the urgency. Now we need the political courage. I’m ready to bring that to Washington on behalf of IL-17. 

I’ll fight for bold climate action and environmental justice: 

• Enact a Green New Deal to create jobs and reach 100% clean energy. I strongly support a Green New Deal not just as a climate goal, but as a jobs and infrastructure plan for America. This means massive investments to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. We’ll put millions to work building solar arrays and wind farms (yes, in Illinois that means offshore wind in the Great Lakes and turbines across our prairies), upgrading our electric grid, and retrofitting homes and schools for energy efficiency. I’ll fight for a Midwest Climate Corps that hires young people and trades workers to weatherize buildings, install renewable energy, and restore natural habitats. This isn’t pie-in-the-sky; it’s exactly what our nation did in the 1930s (rural electrification, the TVA, the CCC) but for the 21st century. And it will especially help rural areas and rust-belt towns to boom with new, green industries. 

• Invest in Illinois as a clean energy leader. Illinois has already taken strides with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, and our district is well-positioned to benefit further. I will push for federal incentives and grants to supercharge clean energy development here in IL-17. That includes expanding wind and solar production on Illinois farms (giving farmers extra income), supporting research at places like Northern Illinois University into next-gen batteries and smart grid tech, and bolstering our manufacturing of electric vehicles and components. We can create good union jobs making the solar panels, wind turbine parts, and electric tractors of the future all stamped “Made in Illinois.” We have the workforce; we just need the investment. 

• Promote climate-smart agriculture. Farmers can be some of our greatest climate heroes with the right support. I’ll expand USDA conservation programs that pay farmers to adopt practices that sequester carbon and protect ecosystems such as cover cropping, low-till farming, planting prairie strips or trees on field edges, and improving soil health. I’ll also push for research into sustainable biofuels and regenerative agriculture techniques, making Illinois a hub for climate-friendly farming. With federal help, our farmers can lead the nation in showing how to feed the world while healing the planet. 

• Guarantee clean air, water, and soil for every community. Environmental justice is a pillar of my climate approach. Too often, it’s Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income communities who suffer the worst pollution from toxic waste dumps, to factory emissions, to lead in water pipes. I’ll fight to increase EPA enforcement against polluters and dedicate funds to clean up legacy pollution sites (Superfund) in Illinois. I’ll also support replacing lead pipes to ensure every family has safe drinking water, and monitoring air quality in industrial hotspots. As we build green infrastructure, we must prioritize those communities who’ve borne the brunt of pollution, making sure they get new parks, green spaces, and flood protections. Climate action must lift up those who have been left behind. 

• Help communities adapt and build resilience. Even as we cut emissions, we have to deal with the climate impacts already here. I’ll push for a dedicated stream of climate resilience grants to help towns and counties rebuild stronger after disasters. If a flood hits the Rock River or a tornado strikes, federal aid should rebuild homes and businesses in a way that anticipates future threats and not leave communities bankrupt. I support funding for flood control projects, drought relief for farmers, and wildfire prevention in prairies and forests. In addition, I’ll back insurance reforms so that homeowners aren’t bankrupted by climate disasters, and we’re incentivizing smart land-use (like not building on floodplains repeatedly). 

We know what we have to do: transition to renewable energy, electrify transportation, make buildings efficient, and protect our natural landscapes. Acting on climate will create good jobs, lower energy costs in the long run, and preserve the Illinois we love for future generations. I’m not here to nibble around the edges; I’m here to get the job done. The time for small, incremental steps has passed; we need bold action to save our planet and secure our future. I’ll bring that urgency and vision to Congress to make sure IL-17 is at the forefront of a greener, more just America.