CHICAGO — Could State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe help turn around Illinois’ ship?

The Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus believes so and explains why in this new release from Springfield:

New State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe is ready for an awakening in Springfield and for Illinois.

Years of political infighting and retirements have produced significant turnover in the Illinois General Assembly. LaPointe is one of those new legislators, after being appointed to fill a seat on Chicago’s northwest side vacated by former Rep. Rob Martwick upon his appointment to the State Senate.

Teaming with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, this new Legislature racked up historic accomplishments in 2019: cannabis legalization, a balanced budget, a long-needed capital construction program, gaming expansion, and voter consideration of the Fair Tax constitutional amendment.

LaPointe believes the best is yet to come in 2020 and beyond, as the new legislative session starts this week. Although her summer appointment meant she has only served for six legislative session days last fall, the former advocate for people with special needs and party activist sees brighter days and challenges ahead.

"I’m really proud of how much was done and what I was able to participate in during that short time," LaPointe said. "After seeing what Bruce Rauner tried to do to working families in labor, working with my new colleagues to affirm collective bargaining rights was one of the most important things I did in those first six days."

LaPointe caught the attention of local leaders in her community after she got involved in helping organize for Congressman Chuy Garcia. With experience in social work, LaPointe’s frustration with the status quo and direction of the state prompted her to get involved.

"To be honest, I was getting somewhat cynical. Living through Rauner’s budget impasse as a program manager in a state grant program taught me an incredible amount about what is working and what isn’t, and what the General Assembly’s role in changing things. Seeing our city and state leaders devalue school teachers and ignore public schools, it all starts to wear on you. But I had a trigger moment and I walked into Chuy Garcia’s office and said what I can do to make things better. Making a conscious choice to be involved and cutting through cynicism set me on a path to step up and take on the challenge of running for office."

LaPointe believes the Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate will continue to partner with Gov. Pritzker and with some Republicans to identify the state’s financial and other challenges and take them head on by working together to build each other up, rather than tear each other down.

"We have a tremendous opportunity ahead to change our trajectory for the long term. From approving the Fair Tax to investing the core services that will lift working people up, we can turn cynicism and doubt into proven success," she said.

An emerging generation of female lawmakers LaPointe is part of will play a critical role in this new, more hopeful direction: by standing firm on principle and process.

"There are a lot of strong, smart women in the Capitol and what I say is we need to get in the room and stay in the room. We need to support each other, not succumb to others’ negativity. Women in power are too often seen as being controlled by some man and we need to change that. That is why I like to talk about my personal pathway. I walked into that room on my own. I make my own decisions and I intend to keep it that way. Sometimes I think we need to remind ourselves of that."

The mission of the IHDWC is to promote the leadership of women elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and to create inclusive and collaborative policy outcomes for the state. The caucus is working to address systemic challenges for women in government and throughout the state, and to provide resources and forums for leadership development, mentoring and issue expertise that will elevate the role of women in public service.

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