11th Congressional District: Foster Wins, Will Take On Laib

ILLINOIS DISTRICT 11 — The primary to clinch a seat in the Illinois 11th District is slated for Tuesday. The race, which determines who compete in the November election, had incumbent Bill Foster (D-IL, 11) facing off against Rachel Ventura for the Democratic nomination. For the Republican nomination, Krishna Bansal faced off against Rick Laib.

With most precincts reporting, Foster is the projected winner of the Democratic nomination. In the Republican primary, Laib appeared to have the edge over Krishna Bansal. With all precincts reporting, Laib led 53.9 percent to 46.1 percent.

Foster posted an update to his campaign Twitter account after the news was announced:

Here's a look at each candidate and where they stand on the issues. Note: Some candidates completed a Patch election survey and others did not.

Bill Foster

Foster was elected to serve Illinios's 11th District in 2013. He is a physicist and business owner and lives in Naperville with his wife, Aesook. He has two grown children. Foster completed the Patch election questionnaire.

Education

BS, University of Wisconsin, PhD, Harvard University

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

"Reforming our immigration system is very important for our district. I strongly support comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, improves our legal immigration system, unites families, and provides an earned path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who currently live in fear of deportation. I regard it as a tragedy of history that the House of Representatives was not allowed to vote on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill the Senate passed in 2013. I was among those Democrats who were collecting private commitments from Republicans to vote for the CIR bill, and I believe that it would have passed by more than 30 votes if we had simply been allowed to vote on it.

I support DACA and will continue to work to create a path to citizenship for the DREAMers, who came to this country through no fault of their own. The United States is the only home many of them have ever known. In my district, they are community leaders and college students who contribute greatly to our country. One of my proudest votes was in favor of the DREAM act when it first passed the House in 2010.

President Trump’s decision to rescind protections to these young people is cruel and will have a devastating impact on the lives of the nearly 800,000 young people, over 42,000 in Illinois, who have benefited from the DACA program. This decision will also greatly harm our economy. Studies have found that DREAMers add $460 billion of economic impact to our national GDP.

The opioid crisis has ravaged communities across the country, and the Eleventh District of Illinois has been no exception. I have proposed policies that would expand the availability of naloxone and improve access to medical treatment for opioid dependency. I am proud that the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Lab in my district has helped us understand how addiction changes the brain, so we can treat opioid dependency as a medical condition - not a moral failure. We can help our friends and family who struggle with dependency recover and live full and productive lives when we recognize that they need medical treatment and have policies at the federal level that help them get that treatment.

I am also committed to fighting for infrastructure funding in my district. Illinois loses $40 billion each year to other states because we pay far more in federal dollars than we get back in federal spending. Infrastructure spending is a major driver of this problem. I have introduced legislation that would change the formula for the allocation of highway funding to reflect a state’s population rather than merely carrying forward antiquated allocations, so that Illinois gets its fair share. We need to repair our roads and bridges that people use every day to get to work and school. We also need to widen I-80, a major thoroughfare for transnational shipping. This issue has become more important as Will County has developed into the largest inland port in the country."

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

"I am a scientist and businessman - a combination we need more of in Congress to deal with the challenges we are facing today and the numerous technological and economic developments our country will face in the coming decades. The government should be leading the way forward with combating climate change and preparing for major economic shifts as automation and AI continue to take over large portions of the economy. As someone who created a small business and led it from early struggles to success, I understand what it takes for small businesses to succeed in our country. My background will allow me to continue being at the forefront of these discussions.

As the chair of the AI Task Force on the Financial Services Committee, I’m utilizing my unique background as the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress to deal with critical issues for the American public like data security and algorithmic racial and gender bias. My experience as a business owner also helps me understand how we can use AI to ensure small businesses have access to the capital they need to continue creating good paying jobs. This Task Force is a good example of how the government can be used to understand and proactively prepare for major economic shifts.

My background in physics also allows me to be a leader in the area of national security and nuclear nonproliferation. As the co-chair of the National Labs Caucus, I have led numerous delegation trips to our national labs to help other members of Congress understand the critical role our laboratories play in continuing the research that keeps Americans safe from current and future national security threats while also ensuring we are the leaders in technological innovation."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

"Health care: I believe that healthcare is a human right and that we should continue moving towards universal coverage. One of my proudest votes in Congress was for the Affordable Care Act in 2010. I support and have voted for a robust public option because he believes it is vital to provide people with a high-quality, low-cost coverage option that competes with private insurance plans. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2085, the Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement (CHOICE) Act, to add a public option to the Affordable Care Act’s individual marketplaces.

I remain committed to strengthening the ACA and ensuring that live-saving health care is available and affordable for everyone. Specifically, this should include continuing the ACA’s Medicaid expansion by further expanding coverage and eliminating means-testing, a gradual reduction of the age of eligibility for Medicare, and reducing out-of-pocket costs by cost-reducing measures such as H.R. 3 which would, among other things, empower the Secretary of HHS to negotiate drug prices.

Climate change: As a scientist, I know that climate change is real and largely man-made. It is a real threat to our children’s future and our world’s natural beauty and resources.
As a businessman, I believe that the most important thing we can do is to invest more into research dedicated to lowering the costs of reliable and sustainable clean energy – including nuclear – and to lower the carbon footprint of existing industrial and agricultural processes. It is only by lowering their costs that we will be able to get the developing world to adopt low-carbon technologies. This is one of the reasons I support the 100% Clean Economy Act.

Unfortunately, the Trump Administration is so focused on keeping its unrealistic promises to the coal and petroleum industries that it has kept scientific truth at arm’s length and has targeted science and research for deep cuts that would put our ability to address climate change in jeopardy. Last year, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at undoing federal regulations intended to protect the environment. Perhaps most disturbing, was the decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Accords - a historic agreement by nearly 200 nations to cut down on carbon emissions and limit the rise of global temperatures.

This misguided decision on the Paris agreement represents an abdication of American leadership in the world."

Rachel Ventura

Rachel Ventura lives in Joliet, where she is a single mother to two 10-year-old twin girls. Ventura completed the Patch candidate questionnaire.

Education

"I graduated from Joliet Central High School and earned a BA in mathematics from Benedictine University in Lisle. Later, I returned to school for a degree in Biology."

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about

"While we must address the Climate Crisis and healthcare, the growing wealth gap in America is the issue that seems to resurface again and again when I talk to voters at their doors.

For senior citizens who are living on a fixed income and living in poverty, I support the “scrap the cap” approach that would keep Social Security solvent until 2078. Currently earnings above $137,700 are not subject to a Social Security Payroll Tax. By lifting the cap, we can safeguard future generations and allow Social Security checks to keep pace with inflation. This would affect 1.5% of wage earners, many of them are millionaires and billionaires.

For many other people, the issue is poverty and low wages. Passing the Green New Deal will not only move us off fossil fuels, but allow us to pass a $15/hour living wage that is indexed to inflation. A federal jobs guarantee will create living wage jobs as we transition America to wind, solar, and hydropower.

For some, it is a choice between paying the mortgage or paying for healthcare. I talked to one woman who chose to lose her house so she could pay $250,000 in doctor bills. She still owes some money on those bills. As a solution, I am supporting Medicare for All as the simplest to implement, and most affordable way to cover the cost of healthcare for all Americans.

For some residents, the wealth gap makes it more difficult to pay for a college education and give their kids a debt-free start in life. As a solution, I support fully funding education from Pre-K through college.

A substantial number of residents in Illinois’ 11th congressional district have a criminal background because Joliet is a prison town. Once someone has a record, they will forever have a hard time getting a job, let alone get a good paying job. For these individuals to have a shot at the American dream, we need serious criminal justice reform like eliminating mandatory minimums, getting rid of cash bail and sealing people’s records who have already served their time.

When Americans have better paying jobs, healthcare, and more time with family, they have a higher quality of life. We all deserve a government that strives towards this common goal."

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

"My opponent, after serving as a U.S. Congressman for more than 10 years, has failed to address the climate crisis, the healthcare crisis, the growing wealth gap or the broken immigration system. He argues that his PhD somehow makes him a better lawmaker, yet he has become part of the broken pay-to-play system that only rewards those who can afford to contribute to political campaigns.

In my first months as a Will County Board member, I spent time building political support to pass the Greenest Region Compact. I fought to protect the residents of Fairmont when the Lockport Township water board attempted to work out a contract with the private company, Aqua. I worked on an intergovernmental agreement that moved the community of Fairmont over to Joliet’s public water system, saving residents from high water bills and lead poisoning. For reference, Aqua is the same company that poisoned residents of University Park. I also advanced the idea that Will County public buildings should be powered by 100% renewable energy sources. This fight continues.

I have enjoyed my time on the Will County Board and I like seeing my actions make a difference, but I have also learned that big problems cannot be solved from the board. I have spoken to constituents who have lost loved ones because of our dysfunctional healthcare system, and they have no one to turn to in Washington D.C. People need someone who is willing to take on the entrenched for-profit healthcare system. Moreover, big oil is now trying to draft “solutions” to the climate crisis like the USE IT ACT, another fossil fuel bailout, and my opponent is going along with it by co-sponsoring this bad legislation.

Name a problem that working families struggle with, and someone in Washington is buying off lawmakers to keep that system exactly as it is, broken. Voters of the 11th congressional district would be better served by someone who has made significant accomplishments in a short amount of time and who is rejecting corporate PAC money. I ran my last race with the tagline, “no strings attached.” As a team we knocked on 10,000 doors. Even though we were outspent 3:1, we won by 11 points against the other Democrat and 8 points against the Republican.

America needs congressmen and congresswomen who are not bought and paid for, people who want to serve, and people who can change the system before the system changes them.

My ability to win elections by building an organization that does not depend on campaign funding from wealthy donors is one of the key elements necessary to restoring our democracy. My votes on the Will County Board have proven that I will continue to fight for my constituents even when it isn’t politically popular, like when I voted “no” on the Gas Tax."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

"As a community activist, as a Will County Board Member, and as a candidate for Congress I have been a strong voice for working families and for the environment. The Green New Deal is a centerpiece of my campaign because I believe that those communities in the 11th district that have been plagued by poverty-level wage jobs can be put to work with higher-wage jobs making our homes and businesses energy efficient. I believe that we can replace warehouse jobs with jobs building windmills and installing solar panels. I believe that we can replace the sweatshops in Aurora, along the Fox River Valley with better-paying jobs building energy efficient windows and doors.

Investing in education from pre-k through college would provide students with more opportunities without burdening them with thousands in debt. It would also encourage new businesses thus creating more jobs."

Krishna Bansal

Krishna Bansal is a small business owner who lives in Naperville. He and his wife have two daughters. Bansal completed the Patch candidate survey.

Education

"BS, MBA"

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it

"District has lost a multitude of jobs in last few years, both manufacturing and service, to foreign countries due to policies that favored special interests. My priority will be to work on legislation to stimulate job growth opportunities, proposing trade and stem education in my district while building more manufacturing units and slowing down offshore dependency of skilled labor. Along with this I will be working on reducing federal regulations and taxes to that stifle small businesses."

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

"The Democrats in Congress, Rep Foster included, have been so focused on impeachment and policies moving our country toward socialism, that it has hurt our way of life. I came to America over twenty years ago, with just a few hundred dollars in my pocket. I was able to achieve so much because of education, free enterprise, and hard work. Now I want to make the American Dream real...for all of us. I am running for Congress because I love our country. I will promote and defend her against the threats from socialism, career politicians, and out of control taxes and spending.

Rep Foster is a career politician who has been there since 2008 and opposes term limits and has little record of community service. I have never held elected office; have a long record of community service and I also support term limits of no more than 8 years for Congressmen. Unlike Rep Foster, I have been connected to grass roots and understand the common person and business issues.

While my opponent is a scientist, I am an entrepreneur/technologist with hands on experience building businesses ground up and have provided employment to hundreds of people.

I will continue to work with and for the citizens of my district and be available to them all the time. I will commit to host monthly meetings within district to understand and keep on improving on any issues."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

"People are my focus. My vision is to provide the most excellent and responsive service possible for the people of my district. I envision stimulating job growth opportunities, proposing trade and stem education in my district. We need a workforce in the district prepared for those jobs and an environment that encourages business to stay in the district. I envision an office supportive of local and state lawmakers looking for federal solutions to bring about a positive impact on our shared constituents. I envision an office where the safety of my constituents is supported by firm foreign policy, tax dollars are used judiciously by sound fiscal policy and the rights granted under the Constitution are protected. My top priorities for serving my district and our country will be:

•  Bring back manufacturing and service jobs
•  Promote specialized education, incentives for STEM & Trades
•  Streamline legal immigration – Strengthen borders to keep illegals, drugs & terrorists out
•  Firm Foreign Policy - America First
•  Preserve and Protect Social Security and Medicare
•  Less government, lower taxes, fewer regulations - more freedom
•  Prosecute corruption in politics, impose term limits on all elected official

Rick Laib

Will County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Rick Laib lives in Joliet. Laib completed the Patch candidate survey.

Education

"ThM Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, MA Biola University, BA University of St. Francis"

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it

" Sanctity of human life. We must discontinue the practice of intentionally taking the lives of innocent members of the human family."

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

"The incumbent, Congressman Bill Foster, has not made recognizing the sanctity of human life a priority."

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

"I am a pro life, pro 2nd Amendment, pro free market candidate."