Putting People First
The Issues
As your neighbor and candidate for Illinois State Representative, I believe in the power of unity and action. Together, we can build a stronger future by tackling the issues that matter most—quality healthcare, strong schools, a cleaner environment, and fair opportunities for all. Your voice drives this campaign, and I want to hear from you. Let’s work side by side to create real change in our community. With your ideas and our shared determination, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.
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Problem:
The "starter home" has become a myth, with housing prices doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling in the past decade, pushing homeownership out of reach for young families.
Republicans blame frivolous spending (like avocado toast and lattes) while ignoring the real issues: limited housing supply, excessive building restrictions, and outdated zoning laws.
These policies force developers to expand into natural green spaces rather than building efficiently in existing communities.
Without action, we risk creating car-dependent, traffic-choked suburbs instead of strong, walkable neighborhoods.
Solution:
Encourage attainable housing construction to increase supply and lower costs.
Reform restrictive zoning laws to allow for smarter, denser development.
Subsidize infill housing (building on unused urban land) to revitalize communities without sprawl.
Invest in transit-friendly neighborhoods to reduce traffic and pollution.
Why It Matters:
Homeownership is a pathway to stability and wealth-building—but right now, it’s slipping away. Smart housing policy means stronger communities, less sprawl, and a fair shot for the next generation."We need homes our families can afford—not more excuses. I’ll fight to cut red tape, lower costs, and build communities that work for everyone." - Ricky Rivard
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Problem:
Extremist Republicans have rolled back decades of progress, putting politicians in control of personal healthcare decisions that should be between patients and doctors.
In states across the country, women are being denied critical care, forced to travel hundreds of miles, or even risk their lives because of dangerous abortion bans.
Republican-led states have enacted draconian surveillance policies, attempting to track women and girls through:
Medical record seizures
Automated license plate tracking at clinics
Period-tracking and contraception app data being weaponized
Here in Illinois, we cannot take our rights for granted—anti-choice politicians continue pushing restrictions that would limit access to contraception, IVF, and reproductive care.
Solution:
Codify reproductive rights in state law to protect access to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments.
Create the strongest patient privacy protections in the nation:
Ban sharing medical records with hostile states
Prohibit license plate surveillance at healthcare facilities
Make it illegal for period/contraception apps to sell or share health data
Establish data deletion requirements for reproductive health information
Expand healthcare provider networks so no one has to travel unreasonable distances for care.
Create legal shields protecting both patients and providers from out-of-state harassment.
Why It Matters:
In the digital age, reproductive freedom requires both physical access and digital privacy. Illinois must lead in protecting women from being tracked, prosecuted, or extorted for seeking basic healthcare."Your body, your decisions, your privacy—no exceptions. In Springfield, I'll fight to make Illinois the nation's most secure sanctuary state because in America, healthcare should never be a crime." - Ricky Rivard
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Problem:
Daycare costs have skyrocketed, placing a heavy financial burden on young families and those planning to have children.
Many parents and caregivers are forced to choose between rejoining the workforce or staying home due to unaffordable childcare.
Rising daycare costs have been ignored by current representation and Republicans in Springfield, leaving families without support.
Solution:
Fight for affordable daycare and before/after-school care for all children in the state.
Bring lived experience to advocate for policies that ease the financial strain on families.
Ensure that investing in childcare is a priority to strengthen the economy and communities by supporting working parents.
Why It Matters:
Affordable childcare allows parents to work, boosts economic growth, and strengthens families. No one should have to sacrifice their career or financial stability due to the high cost of daycare."Investing in our children and young families grows our economy and our communities." - Ricky Rivard
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Problem:
Republicans have ignored rising healthcare costs and are actively working to strip coverage from millions to fund tax breaks for billionaires.
Families, seniors, and vulnerable residents in our district are left without solutions as healthcare becomes increasingly unaffordable.
Many face impossible choices between medical care and financial stability, a struggle I’ve experienced firsthand as someone who was once uninsured.
Solution:
Expand affordable healthcare coverage to those who need it most, including low-income families and seniors.
Negotiate lower prices for all Illinoisans, ensuring even those not on Medicaid or Medicare can access fair costs.
Hold insurers and politicians accountable—no one should be forced to sacrifice health due to cost.
Why It Matters:
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Ensuring affordability keeps families healthy, reduces financial stress, and strengthens our communities."No one in Illinois should have to choose between their health and their wallet. I’ll fight to make healthcare affordable—for everyone." - Ricky Rivard
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Problem:
Despite fear-mongering and misleading attacks from partisan groups, Illinois has some of the best schools in the nation—but Republicans keep trying to divert public funds to private profits instead of supporting them.
Unfair pension policies create a two-tier system that penalizes our hardest-working teachers.
While our schools excel, we must do more to eliminate childhood hunger, attract top educators, and ensure every student has the resources they need.
Solution:
Fully fund K-12, community colleges, and public universities to maintain world-class education at every level.
Implement universal free breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks—because no child should learn hungry.
Fix the broken pension system to stop punishing our best teachers and retain top talent.
Recruit and support outstanding educators, social workers, and staff to strengthen our schools.
Why It Matters:
Great schools attract families, grow our economy, and create opportunity. Investing in education means investing in Illinois’ future—both short-term stability and long-term prosperity.
"Our schools are already among America’s best—let’s make them even stronger. I’ll fight to fully fund education, feed every child, and fix unfair policies so Illinois remains a leader in opportunity and excellence." - Ricky Rivard -
Problem:
Republicans in Springfield complain about unfunded mandates but refuse to work constructively to solve them—choosing political theater over real solutions.
State policies often pass costs down to local governments, forcing higher taxes or service cuts in our communities.
Instead of delivering state funding or negotiating with Democratic leadership, they stage protests and press conferences while our districts get left behind.
Solution:
Demand funded mandates—any policy coming from Springfield must include clear funding streams, not unfunded burdens on local agencies.
Stay at the table to ensure our district’s needs are met—no more empty grandstanding in hallways.
Bring development projects home so our communities get the economic growth and investment other districts enjoy.
Why It Matters:
Unfunded mandates cripple local budgets and force higher property taxes or reduced services. We need real leadership, not political performances."I won’t just point out problems—I’ll solve them. In Springfield, I’ll fight to fully fund state policies and bring home the projects and investments our communities deserve." - Ricky Rivard