Mah Fights to Build a Stronger, More Inclusive Illinois During Legislative Session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Throughout the spring legislative session, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, worked to strengthen the middle class by providing tax relief to working families, expanding training programs for high-wage, 21st Century jobs and securing access to affordable health care – all while affirming that Illinois is welcome to all, regardless of what Donald Trump and politicians in Washington say.

“Any conversation about moving Illinois forward must take into account the unique, valuable contributions of immigrant families,” said Mah. “As Donald Trump’s rhetoric against immigrants seeks to inflame and divide communities, I will never stop fighting for fair treatment and full protections under the law for those who came to this country with hopes of building a better life.”

As part of her plan to improve economic outcomes for all families, Mah supported a Fair Tax to relieve the high burden that low-income and middle-class residents bear under the current regressive system. The Fair Tax provides tax relief for more than 99% of local residents, while making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share to fund education, health care and other critical services.

“Working families pay double their income compared to the top 1% under our broken system,” said Mah. “The Fair Tax plan I supported would provide tax relief to the overwhelming majority of small business owners and working families who drive our local economy, while providing stable funding for local schools, senior health care and other critical services.”

To further strengthen the local economy and prepare job-seekers for high-wage jobs, Mah voted to expand access to tax credits for employers, and invest additional resources in career and vocational training programs that evolve to keep pace with developing technology.

“Investing in our next generation of workers is critical to sustaining long-term economic growth,” said Mah. “This means expanding access to financial aid and student loan repayment options, while also recognizing that a degree from a four-year institution is not the only ticket to a middle-class career. Illinois has a serious shortage of skilled workers for high-wage jobs that didn’t exist even a generation ago, and to fill these positions, we need to reevaluate what our high schools and community colleges are teaching.”

In addition to fairer taxes and an economy that creates high-wage jobs, Mah’s commitment to strengthening the middle class also includes improving health care access for working families and seniors. As Donald Trump continues to try to strip away health care for people with pre-existing conditions, Mah backed measures to make health care more affordable by cracking down on greedy insurance companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Mah also introduced and passed legislation creating an education program for prescribing physicians, which would help improve the delivery of care and better control medical costs.

“No family should ever have to go without filling a lifesaving prescription because they can’t afford it,” said Mah. “In addition to controlling high prescription drug prices set by manufacturers, we must also ensure physicians have access to unbiased, objective information about new medications as they enter the market to increase patient access to safe, effective and affordable care.

Mah is serving her second term representing the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of McKinley Park, Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. For more information, please contact Mah’s district office at 872-281-5775.