Christian Mitchell

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Christian Mitchell
Il House of Representative Christian Mitchell.jpg
Illinois State Representative Christian Mitchell
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 26th district
Assumed office
January 2013 (2013-Jan)
Preceded by Kimberly du Buclet
Personal details
Political party Democratic
Residence Bronzeville, Illinois
Alma mater University of Chicago
Profession Full Time Legislator

Christian Mitchell is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 26th district,[1] which encompasses portions of Near North Side's Streeterville, as well as parts of the Loop, Oakland, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Hyde Park, South Shore, and South Chicago community areas.[2] He was sworn into office in January 2013 and was the youngest member of the 98th General Assembly.

Early Life, Education and Career

Christian was raised by his mother, who has been a nurse for 30 years, and his grandfather, who was a union steelworker and an elder at his church in Maywood. Christian cites his mother's dedication and sacrifice as well as his grandfather's community activity as his inspiration to become a public servant.[3] Mitchell is a public policy graduate of the University of Chicago.[4]

Christian began his career as a faith based community organizer with Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL).[5] His work with SOUL focused on education funding reform, affordable housing, and economic empowerment for low-income communities.[5] In 2009, Christian drafted legislation that became the Urban Weatherization Initiative, a $425 million program that puts people to work weatherproofing houses in Chicago.[5]

In 2010, Mitchell worked as a Deputy Field Director in Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's reelection campaign[6] and was involved in Burns' aldermanic campaign management.[7] He was a senior advisor to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle from May 2011 to November 2011 serving as Director of Outreach and External Relations. Preckwinkle credits Mitchell with keeping the Todd Stroger sales tax repeal from unravelling in the Cook County budgeting process.[8] Mitchell was named to Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel's transition team in March 2011.[9]

Illinois House of Representatives

Christian was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in November 2012. In the primary, Mitchell (aged 25) had been endorsed by Alderman Burns and Former 26th District Representative Kimberly du Buclet[2] as well as President Preckwinkle, Mayor Emanuel, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and United States Congressmen Bobby Rush.[10][11] Democratic challenger Kenny Johnson had been backed by Congressmen Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Danny Davis as well as the Chicago Teachers Union,[11] Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul and Alderman Brendan Reilly.[12] Mitchell was also endorsed by the Chicago Tribune for his greater understanding of state issues and superior menu of solutions.[4] He won by a 6739–6238 margin, putting him in line to be the youngest member of the Illinois General Assembly.[13] After winning the Democratic primary election in March, Mitchell was uncontested in the November 6, 2012 election.[14][15]

Representative Mitchell was re-elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in November 2014. He defeated democratic primary challenger Jay Travis in March 2014. He is currently running for a third term and again faces democratic challenger Jay Travis in the primary contest.

Committees

  • Juvenile Justice & System - Involved (Vice-Chairperson)
  • Renewable Energy & Sustainability
  • Judiciary - Criminal
  • Revenue & Finance
  • State Government Administration
  • Elementary Secondary Education School Curricular Policies
  • Sex Offenses and Sex Offender Registry
  • Finance Subcommittee
  • Coal Finance Subcommittee
  • Gun Violence Prevention Task Force

Caucus Memberships

  • Black Caucus

Political positions

Mitchell is one of the most progressive members of the Illinois House of Representatives. On March 3, 2014, the Chicago Tribune described Mitchell as "just what his constituents need: a smart, hardworking lawmaker whose first priority is to look out for them."[16] He is known as someone who shows a deep understanding of Illinois' problems as well as a lawmaker who proposes a wide range of solutions.[4]

Education

As a State Representative, Chirstian has consistently supported legislation to direct more state funds to K-12 schools. In the 99th General Assembly, he proposed the Fund Education First Act as a long term solution to restore education funding in Illinois.[17] The Fund Education First Act is projected to increase investment in Chicago Public Schools by $200 million without increasing local property taxes.[3] In the long term, the proposed legislation will generate an additional $1 billion in funding to schools statewide.[3] On Wednesday, October 30, 2013, Christian told Dartesia Pitts on CAN TV's Political Forum that he views "education as the key to opportunity, as a ladder out of poverty, as the thing that got me to the place where I am".[18]

Mitchell also co-sponsored an amendment to the Illinois Constitution, HJRCA 26, which establishes a 3% tax on income over $1 million, specifically to increase education funding.[19] He also introduced the Financial Services Tax Bill (HB 670), which imposes a 3% surcharge on financial services for high net worth individuals. HB 670 is expected to generate millions of dollars to purchase textbooks for schools[20]

Mitchell also supports legislation to establish an elected Chicago Board of Education.[21] Currently the School Board is appointed by the Mayor of Chicago.[22]

Gun Control

In 2014, Mitchell called for the establishment of a Gun Trafficking Control Task Force to stop illegal guns from reaching criminals.[23] He has introduced legislation that increases regulations on gun dealership to quell the spread of illegal guns, such as 24/7 video surveillance, mandatory background checks on employees working at gun dealerships, detailed record keeping, and zoning restrictions.[24] Representative Mitchell has also proposed legislation calling for a 2% tax on the sale of ammunition to fund trauma centers in Illinois.[25]

Job Creation

Christian is vehemently opposed to Right to Work policies. In a speech from the Illinois House floor on May 14, 2015, he opposed an initiative to create local employment empowerment zones, stating "without unions, we wouldn't have an African American middle class. Because the African-American middle class in places like Chatham and Bronzeville was built on the backs of firefighters and teachers and unions".[26] He supported the Fair Arbitration Bill (SB 1229), which would have allowed the State to reach a renewed collective bargaining agreement with its unionized employees through arbitration rather than a lockout or strike.

Mitchell was also the chief co-sponsor of HB 2607, a bill that would have reduced carbon pollution and created 32,000 new jobs per year in Illinois.[27]

Working Families

Representative Mitchell has supported numerous initiatives to relieve taxes on middle-class families in Illinois. He advocates amending the constitution to create a graduated state income tax, in which lower earners pay a lower rate and higher earners pay a higher rate.[28] He also supports expanding the State Earned Income Tax Credit to reduce the tax burden on lower and middle income families.[29]

In February 2015, Christian introduced a bill to guarantee that all workers in Illinois have the right to paid sick time.[30] He also co-sponsored legislation which became law to expand access to SNAP benefits for families that include an elderly, disabled, or blind person.[31]

Child Care

Christian believes that state sponsored child care empowers single parents to provide for their families.[3] In 2015, in response to Governor Rauner's drastic reduction of Illinois' child care program, Christian became the Chief Sponsor of legislation to expand state-subsidized child care to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.[32] This legislation expands access to the program for thousands of working families, particularly single parents and is a bill that Mitchell has carried since he was sworn into the General Assemby.[33]

On November 17, 2015, Mitchell expressed his support for expanded child-care in an interview with Paul Lisnek, saying "I've got child care providers in my district who are shutting down. We've got businesses who are adjusting the way they do shifts because you've got so many single moms that are being crushed by the fact that they don't have child care anymore. So for us, voting for SB 570, which I was a chief co-sponsor, was insurance to say the governor can never do something like this again".[32]

Improved Transparency in Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Reform

Representative Mitchell co-sponsored the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act, which expands access to body cameras, requires additional training for police officers and incorporates a measure drafted by Rep. Mitchell requiring police departments to conduct an independent investigation of police involved deaths.[34]

Mitchell is an ardent supporter of criminal justice reform, recognizing the disproportionate effect current drug laws have on minority communities. He co-sponsored HB 218, legislation to decriminalize marijuana by eliminating criminal penalties associated with the possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.[35] The Illinois Department of Corrections projected this bill would reduce Illinois' prison population by 115 inmates and save $29,335,700 over 10 years. Governor Rauner vetoed the bill in August 2015.

References

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External links

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