By Lucas Fogleman
Around 400 seniors are attending Batavia High School as of the 26-27 school year; among them is a pool of students who turn 18 before November 3 and have the opportunity to vote in the upcoming midterm election. With Senator Dick Durbin retiring, two major candidates are competing for his Senate seat. Based on a poll by illinoispolicy.org, the top two most important issues for Illinoisans are high taxes and the economy. While these issues might seem unimportant for many high school seniors, the fact remains that a large portion of seniors will be heading off into the workforce in the next six years. In that time, many students will become more personally affected by the economy and taxes. So it’s important to choose a candidate now so that when seniors do take on more adult responsibilities, they can live knowing, “at least I made my voice heard”. So here’s a brief overview of the top candidates from each party, including notable experience, tax policy, economic policy, and a general look at campaign finances.
Juliana R. Stratton (D):
Born in Chicago in 1965, Stratton earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1987, then a Juris Doctor from DePaul University in 1992. Stratton’s resume notably includes: member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois from 2018 to present; in 1997 she started her own consulting firm, JDS Mediation Services; executive director for the Cook County Justice Advisory Council; executive director for Cook County Justice for Children; and deputy hearing commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection; and many more.
Stratton’s tax policy can be largely defined as anti-corporate; her Blueprint Issue Pamphlet states, “Passing a tax cut for the middle class, paid for with a tax
increase on those making more than a million dollars a year,” also, “Ensuring corporations are paying their fair share in taxes,” then later stating, “Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to help combat poverty, especially child poverty”. She has also been very critical of Trump’s tariffs, labeling them as a “Hidden Tax.”
Noteworthy economic policies from her Blueprint Issue Pamphlet include raising the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour, Medicare for all, and “Capping credit card interest rates to stop credit card companies and big banks from trapping Americans in a never-ending cycle of debt.”
Stratton has publicly pledged not to accept any corporate PAC money in her federal campaigns. FEC data shows that most of her funding comes from individual donations, with notable donors including the Pritzker family.
Don Tracy (R):
Born in 1949 in Urbana, Ill., he later moved and grew up in Mount Sterling, Ill. Tracy attended Western Illinois University, then later earned a Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University in 1972, and then earned a Juris Doctor at the University of Memphis. Noteworthy experience includes: chair of the Illinois Gaming Board from 2015 to 2019, chair of the Illinois Republican Party from 2021 to 2024, senior counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens law firm, secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, president of the Sangamon County Bar Association, and chairman of the Illinois Corporate Acts Advisory Committee, along with other positions.
In a WTTW Q&A, Tracy defined his tax policy as, “make life more affordable for working families and small businesses, not more expensive.” Tracy later stated, “I support a pro-worker tax approach that lets people keep more of what they earn while encouraging investment, job creation, and domestic manufacturing.” Tracy has also been outspoken about lowering utility bills and property taxes along with other taxes.
Don Tracy’s economic stance relies mostly on cutting taxes and reducing government spending. He has also been outspoken about reducing health care costs through greater competition and price transparency, and focusing on affordable housing by cutting red tape.
FEC data shows the amount of Tracy’s individual donations is extremely limited, only making up 12% of his total receipts. An outstanding amount comes from personal loans, and very few PAC contributions.
Closest voting place to Batavia High School,
Congregational Church Of Batavia
Church
21 S Batavia Ave
Batavia, IL 60510
November 3,
Go Vote!