Buckner Lays Out Goals for New Term: Cutting Costs, Transit Policy, Affordable Healthcare

CHICAGO – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, issued this statement following his inauguration to another term representing her community in Springfield:

“I’m pleased and proud to stand for this community in Springfield once again. I share the priorities of my neighbors, and am eager to put in the work of taking Illinois the right direction. While my responsibilities run a wide gamut, I will be focusing on cutting costs, reforming transit policy and making healthcare more affordable.

“In recent years, rising costs have created new challenges for many working people across the country. In Illinois, we have helped combat that by slashing the prices of necessities such as pharmaceutical drugs, menstrual hygiene products and groceries, there is a lot more progress to make. Ensuring that people in this community can afford what’s vital to them isn’t optional, and I’ll be pursuing legislation to continue to lower prices on essential goods.

“All across Illinois, but in Chicago especially, we need transit reform. Mass transit especially has not been functioning as people need it to. When trains and buses break down or fall far behind on their routes, it can impact tens of thousands of people. Disruptions stop kids from going to school, they stop
parents from going to work; entire neighborhoods, Black and Brown neighborhoods especially, grind to a halt. Transit reform will always be at the top of my agenda.

“Affordable healthcare is another area that requires a lot of attention. High prices on prescription drugs, essential doctor visits that aren’t covered by insurance plans; the healthcare situation we are dealing with, while it is improving, needs more work. Building a stronger future for our community cannot happen without substantial expansions in medical care.”