State Rep. Stuart Sworn In, Ready to Serve

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – First-term state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, took the oath of office on Wednesday, citing job creation, school funding and fiscal responsibility as issues that are on the top of her legislative agenda.

“The families in my district do not have the ability to ignore their bills and run their homes on an unbalanced budget. The state should not be any different,” Stuart said. “The status quo in Springfield isn’t working. I believe that if lawmakers don’t do their job, they shouldn’t be paid. I’m rejecting my own pay until a budget is in place, and will fight the politicians and special interests to protect our families.”

Stuart is a former high school and college math teacher, most recently teaching at SIUE. Now a full-time legislator, Stuart is rejecting her paycheck until a budget is in place and has declined enrollment in the legislative pension system because she believes that lawmakers should lead by example during the budget impasse.

Stuart emphasizes the role of public service in her position as state Representative. She plans to regularly walk door-to-door, hold office hours, visit local businesses, host citizen advisory committees and organize a variety of other events in order to remain accessible to the residents of the 112th District.

“The job of a state representative is to serve the residents of their district, not to line their own pockets,” Stuart said. “When I am not in Springfield fighting for fair school funding, job creation initiatives and fiscal responsibility, I’ll be out in the community, going door-to-door, hosting citizen advisory committee meetings, bringing state services and resources to every corner of my district, and meeting with residents and business owners.”

The 112th District includes all or parts of Collinsville, Edwardsville, Caseyville, Granite City, Glen Carbon, Maryville, O’Fallon and Fairview Heights.