DeAndre on the Issues
DeAndre Tillman is a progressive candidate who will bring innovative ideas to the 29th district. DeAndre will use his background as an attorney to create policies that are consistent with the needs and interest of the people of Illinois.
Budget & Economy
As Alderman, DeAndre Tillman supports measures aimed at assisting residents who are fighting to provide for their families but are faced with circumstances making it difficult to adequately meet their basic needs. It is important for a leader to balance compassion for others within a capitalist system. It is for this reason Tillman supported Cook County’s 15-dollar minimum wage Ordinance at the municipal level when many elected officials favored opting out and keeping the status quo.
One of Tillman’s top priorities would be balancing the State’s budget and working to solve the growing pension issue. This would be accomplished by creating a responsible plan to address the concerns of the growing debt obligations. Tillman is in favor of total consolidation of the 653 downstate public safety pension funds and will seek other ways at addressing the budgetary issue. Tillman is not in favor of dangerous budget cuts to important social programs at the expense of the families that can least afford it or balancing the budget on the backs of local municipalities.
Upon being elected as Alderman, DeAndre Tillman and the town he serves was faced with a budget deficit of 2 million dollars in 2017-2018. Tillman and his council worked together to create new forms of revenue, implemented an attrition program, and controlled spending to bring the municipality back into the black the following year. As State Representative, Tillman will bring this same level of discipline to Springfield.
Education
Education is one of the leading issues for DeAndre Tillman. We must seriously address the way we fund education to ensure that every child receives an equitable and fair education. Illinois is among one of the top states in terms of gross revenue but is near the bottom when it comes to funding education. Our current way of funding schools is outdated, and Tillman supports the direction of recent legislation and will advocate for further efforts.
Tillman supports the Bill that would freeze property taxes levied by certain Illinois school districts and work to ensure the plan is realized in light of the Bill’s contingencies. Tillman also supports the idea of a minimum wage for Teachers’ salaries. The most crucial aspect of increasing educational funding is by controlling the direction of the funds so that it may benefit students and teachers and not administration costs. Tillman generally supports the idea of reallocating burdensome administrative costs and redirecting them to student related needs.
As the son of two School Board members and a product of the 29th District’s public education system, Tillman understands the importance of creating opportunities and resources for the youth and how this will benefit us all in the future.
Economic Development
Economic development is the foundation of solving issues throughout communities. Tillman understands that strong Economic Development policy can have ancillary benefits including reduced property taxes, reduced crime, and educational improvements.
More specifically, small businesses are the backbone of communities. As a small business owner, Tillman understands the intricacies that must be balanced to promote the interest of small business owners. Tillman will champion programs to assist with access to capital, educational workshops, removing barriers of entry, and other initiatives to encourage entrepreneurs to operate in the 29th district. Growing our small business community must be a priority for us all.
Safer Neighborhoods
DeAndre Tillman believes that a lack of opportunity, inadequate funding for police at the municipal level, educational barriers, insufficient mental health programs, and the need for common sense gun control measures all play a factor in making our neighborhoods unsafe. Measures to make our neighborhoods safer can be achieved by:
- Expanding programs to allow better access to mental health facilities.
- Supporting commonsense and comprehensive gun reform.
- Increasing school funding while directing those dollars to student-based needs and not administration-based needs.
- Re-establish the percentage share of state income tax revenue that goes into the Local Government Distributive Fund back to 10%. (Albeit subsequent to addressing other budgetary issues. See budget.)
- Supporting programs aimed at helping individuals with a criminal background reenter society thereby reducing recidivism.
Environment
DeAndre Tillman strongly believes that concerns related to global warming are real and will generally support legislation aimed at protecting the environment. This includes protecting the funding for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. As an Alderman, Tillman saw firsthand how funds from OSLAD could help reshape a community.