During stops in Rock Island, and Whiteside County, IL, Wednesday, July 24, 2019, Democrat Joan Padilla announced her campaign to win the 71st District House seat in 2020. The Whiteside County Democrat, who ran an aggressive campaign in 2018, said she will focus on new policies to grow the 71st District and its economy.
“In the last campaign, I knocked on 10,000 doors; I heard countless citizens’ concerns.” That helped Padilla win “some major areas of the District, including Sterling, and Rock Falls, IL. I discovered that people in this region want progress over politics.”
“I am excited to announce my campaign for State Representative, in order to grow the economy, invest in schools, build roads, and create opportunities for young people,” said Padilla. She is currently Executive Director of a health care and cancer wellness non-profit called Home of Hope. Padilla serves on the Sauk Valley Community College Foundation Board.
Padilla will host a series of “Grow the 71st District” meetings with community members and economic development officials. They will share effective current practices that are boosting the economy of the region. That collaboration will lead to “building an agenda for economic progress, using best practices.” In addition Padilla will strive “to reduce property taxes; cut taxes for the middle class; reform State Government by enacting Performance Audits of State agencies.”
“There are clear differences between my priorities and those of the incumbent, Rep. Tony McCombie. She voted against increasing the minimum wage. She voted against the capital bill that will create hundreds of new jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in Illinois. She voted against the capital bill that will help the WIU-QC Riverfront Campus and the Chicago-to-Quad Cities passenger rail,” said Padilla.
“These bills will bring dynamic economic growth and jobs and provide opportunities for young people in our area. McCombie’s negative votes did not represent or serve the voters of the 71st District.”
“Just as unwise, major capital bills to bolster a district only come along once in a decade or so. When you’re a State Representative or Senator, you may have the opportunity to support a major capital bill once–maybe twice–during your public service in Springfield[, IL].”
“In the end, this campaign comes down to a very simple question. Do citizens want a State Representative who will vote to grow the 71st District, or a Representative who is on record being comfortable voting no? This district deserves better,” said Padilla.
“In the 71st, do we grow or just say No?” Contact Padilla at padillalfd@live.com.
The 71st District includes parts of Carroll, Henry, Rock Island, and Whiteside Counties.