She Runs Illinois 2022! — Laura Murphy, candidate for IL Senate, District 28
She Votes Illinois is pleased to feature Laura Murphy, incumbent, running for IL Senate, District 28. Follow our series, She Runs Illinois 2022!, leading up to election day as we showcase and uplift the voices of Illinois women running for public office in the upcoming election, November 8, 2022.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in a middle-class family in Park Ridge, and have lived in Des Plaines with my husband and son for almost 30 years. I spent 8 of those years on the Des Plaines city council, solving local issues and fighting for working families.
My working-class background and previous professional experience in the business of healthcare and social services inform my views on women’s healthcare, gun violence prevention, and fighting corruption and waste in state government.
What are the priorities that you intend to focus on in office?
Protect reproductive rights in Illinois.
Keep our families safe from gun violence.
Fully fund education to lower property taxes.
Increase funding for job training programs and apprenticeship opportunities.
Ban politicians from lobbying their colleagues once they leave office.
What do you wish more people understood about holding office?
The majority of people who run for public office do so to help solve a problem and or help others. They do so at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. They do not enter the public areas to be self-serving. There are a few bad apples that cause the public to mistrust all. I ask voters to investigate those who are running for office; find out their motivation and make informed decisions on the candidates.
Racially motivated violence against Asian Americans is a longstanding issue in the U.S., but incidents have been on the rise. How will you plan to understand impacted communities’ fears and needs in order to work towards ensuring their safety?
I have made an effort for the past 20 years to know the Asian-American constituency. I have worked with faith leaders (particularly after 9/11) to attempt to destigmatize this population. To show the community the culture and values of the Asian-American community, I have supported legislation like the TEAACH Act and was the sponsor and champion of the Modest Uniform legislation. I support organizations like FIA and AAEIO among many other groups. I was the recipient of the Grand Asian American Sandra Otaka Memorial Award in 2022. I will continue to work on policies that lead to reducing hate and furthers understanding of all.
The crisis of domestic violence is closely linked to the widespread and growing use of guns by abusers. What solutions do you advocate to reduce gender-based gun violence in Illinois?
I have always been a supporter of responsible common sense gun legislation. I support the need for universal background checks and weapon registration. I have supported the “red flag” legislation that provides a process of removing guns from someone that may be unstable. I support increased funding for mental health needs. I support legislation that increases the penalty for crimes committed with a weapon. I will support legislation that bans the sale of military-style weapon possession. I will also continue to support early interventions that teach problem resolution skills and increased counselors in schools to recognize students with isolation problems. I have supported legislation that teaches conflict resolution to decrease bullying. In the next GA session, I will reintroduce SB 3093 which defines, identifies, and provides training for racial harassment prevention.
As states surrounding us and across the country further restrict abortion access, what more do you think needs to be done here in Illinois to further protect patients in and out-of-state and abortion providers?
I still remain dismayed about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a court case that upheld a woman’s freedom and choice over her own body. Today, all over our country, women are facing unthinkable futures regarding their mental and physical health with the right to choose stripped away which may lead to further restrictions on a woman’s access to reproductive health care, such as birth control. I am grateful that in Illinois, the women’s right to choose is protected under law; however, this attack on reproductive rights only makes it more important that we work to protect reproductive rights in the state legislature. I will continue to fight to protect reproductive rights in the state legislature until the right to choose is protected for all women. I will support legislation that ensures physicians in Illinois cannot be prosecuted by other states for making healthcare decisions in Illinois and any other legislation that is necessary to ensure women’s healthcare decisions remain a decision between the woman, her doctor, and her faith; without government interference.
Closing comments
I have been honored to serve the constituents of the 28th district and the State of Illinois over the last 6 years. I would be honored to continue to serve in that role. There is still much work to be done. Perhaps there is no greater time in our history to ensure we elect leaders that are committed to finding common sense solutions to the problems that plague us. To have leaders that will find common ground. I have a proven record of doing that. Almost every bill I have passed has been bipartisan. I am a legislator that identifies a problem and seeks a solution; a solution that is derived from discussion and compromise. I have always kept the best interests of the communities I serve as the motivation behind my service.
If you would like to learn more about Laura Murphy and her platform or volunteer for her campaign, please check out her website at lauramurphyforillinois.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook. Reach out today and help make a difference in the upcoming 2022 election.
(The information contained in this post is provided only as general information and does not imply an endorsement by She Votes Illinois.)
