16th District State Representative Candidate: Kevin Olickal

SKOKIE, IL — Kevin Olickal is one of three candidates on the ballot seeking the Democratic Party's nomination to become state representative for the 16th Illinois House District. Also on the ballot are first-term incumbent Rep. Yehiel "Mark" Kalish and People for a Safer Society founder Denyse Wang Stoneback.

Olickal's unabridged answers to Patch's candidate questionnaire are below:

Kevin Olickal, running for Illinois state representative:

Age: 27
Residence: Skokie
Office Sought: 16th District State Representative
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: www.kevinolickal.com

Family:
Jojo Olickal, Susan Olickal, and Jeff Olickal

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My father, Jojo Olickal, works for the Secretary of State's office.

Education
B.S. in Biology

Occupation
Former Executive Director of IADO 1 year

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:
None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Rising cost of living. I plan to fight for progressives streams of revenue that will lift the burden off of middle class families that have been forced to pay because of our state's irresponsibility. We will never see a government that reflects the needs of everyday people until we hold candidates responsible for who they take their money from.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am the only candidate that has not taken a single dollar from corporate lobbyists, while my opponents have taken thousands of dollars in donations from big corporate lobbyists. I am the only candidate in this race that is building a true progressive grassroots movement that I intend to bring to Springfield with me to fight for the residents of the 16th District.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the district?
Representative Mark Kalish failed to support the RHA, a landmark piece of legislation that tore down barriers to reproductive rights for women. Additionally, Representative Kalish has taken thousands of dollars from charter school organizations, corporate hospital systems, and pharmaceutical companies. The representative’s positions do not reflect the values of the 16th district. Voters in the 16th overwhelmingly support funding of our public schools over charter schools and private school vouchers. So many families in our district struggle to find affordable healthcare. Residents want elected leaders who will take on health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, not someone who cozies up to them. We are the only campaign to refuse contributions from healthcare lobbyists.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:
I fully support moving towards a single payer healthcare system. Expectant mothers, children, and families shouldn't have to choose between paying their bills and seeing a doctor. We have to fix our broken property tax system by closing loopholes that force the wealthy to pay their fair share. The state has not done enough to fund public education creating disparities in opportunity throughout the state. We must invest in higher education to ensure that our students can pursue meaningful careers without being saddled with enormous amounts of debt. I will support any and all efforts to move Illinois to 100% renewables allowing us to become carbon free and create thousands of clean energy jobs. I fully support efforts to end cash bail and reform our criminal justice system.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I formally served as chief of staff and as an organizer for three state legislators. While doing so, I worked with the Illinois Mental Health Opportunities for Youth Diversion Task Force that focused on diverting youth with mental health conditions from the criminal justice system. I’ve also worked with local progressive candidates running for office, like school board member Bushra Amiwala. Most recently, I served as executive director of the Indian American Democratic Organization where we focused on fostering civic engagement in minority communities. I have worked side by side with state legislators since the beginning of my career. I understand what the job is, and what our community needs.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
Passing legislation that reforms our healthcare system will be the biggest priority when I am elected. I have spoken to too many residents here in the 16th District that are struggling to pay their healthcare premiums and the cost of prescription medication while balancing their checkbook. Families should not have to choose between having healthcare coverage and putting food on the table. Healthcare is a human right, and any progress moving towards that in my first term would be a great accomplishment.

Why should voters trust you?
We've had the same representation for the last thirty-two years, I think it's time we ask ourselves who is Illinois changing for? I am the only candidate that has not been handpicked by the former representative, who stepped down after being accused of sexual harassment. I am also the only candidate that committed to representing working class people which is why I have refused to take a single dollar from corporate lobbyists or corporate PACs. In doing so, I'm not beholden to any special interest group or political institution. When elected to office, I will only answer to the constituents of the 16th district and will always put people over politics.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
We need to start pursuing long term solutions to the issues that our communities face. I think that residents in the state of Illinois have serious distrust in government because of the lack of transparency in fiscal policy. Residents want to know that their tax dollars are being invested back into their communities, not being used to subsidize big corporations like ComEd that has received a billion dollars in subsidies over the last decade. Investing in public universities, healthcare reform, and clean energy will ensure that every child can be guaranteed a bright future in this state. Our state is not know for its transparency and we must regain the trust of taxpayers by committing to investing in the needs of working families not special interests.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
None