Heather Brown
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile*
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Heather Brown
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 25
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn
USA Swimming, Online, Foundations for Coaches, Continuing Education, 2005-Present
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Tri City Health Parnership, Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Rebuilding Homes after Katrina, Red Cross, Volunteer for Southern Illinois impacted by tornadoes
Exceeding Expectations Today, Owner - Donating time and accounting expertise to help people get out of debt, District 33 School Board Meetings - Taxpayer & Mother of Children
Recording and Translating Meetings for our 80% Hispanic Population, DuPage Animal Shelter, Foster- mainly puppies, some with serious injuries, from 2020-2022
Stiff Person Syndrome Website, Administer - providing emotional support for those suffering with the autoimmune disease, Bark of an Angel
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Independent Alderman for the City of West Chicago, 5.5
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Jeanne Ives
Wayne Township Republicans
OTHER (2)
Winfield Township Republican Party
*Illinois State Rifle Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Jim Oberweis State Senator District 25 from 2013-2021
Jeanne Ives - former House of Representatives for the 42nd District from 2013-2018
Local Small Businesses in West Chicago I have helped while being an Independent Alderman for the City of West Chicago
Winfield Township Republicans GOP and Chairwoman Nicole Pratter
DuPage County Republicans GOP and Chairman Jim Zay
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Title X grants for Planned Parenthood was originally designed in the 1970's to help "low-income families or uninsured people who might not otherwise have access to healthcare services". No where in the Title X grant did it state they would be using it for abortions as their only option. More money should be used for clinics that save lives through "healthcare services" as the law was originally written. It should not be limited to Planned Parenthood.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Choose not to answer
In speaking with the people: Planned Parenthood does not hand out enough birth control to be given funds from our government. They make the most money off of those getting abortions. They should be providing more preventative services or options for teens and adults rather than choosing abortion. Those whom choose abortion may regret it. Then mental illnesses becomes an issue for those living with regret. PP is the only service to receive Title X grants.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Choose not to answer
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Our property, income, sales, and utilities are one of the highest in the nation. We have to stop the spending. Freeze tax increases so the people in our State can get some relief until new laws are implemented to reduce the burden. While also encouraging home rule communities to do the same.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
We need to stop the spending on unnecessary programs throughout the State. Being an accountant in the past, I have several areas I would recommend the State to stop enforcement to reduce spending on State and local communities.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Tax payer funded public schools are still struggling to give our children quality education, while increasing their own salaries and budgets each year. This in turn puts burdens on those paying higher rent or property taxes each year. We need to be known again for our high standards and quality education again, not spending more for free college. Many people went to trade schools and make more than those that took out hefty loans for college picking degrees that could not pay their bills.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
It is a constitutional right to go to a place of worship.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I do not agree with Medicare for all or universal healthcare.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Religious, allergies, health care or illnesses are prime examples for refusal of vaccinations.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
We have the anniversary of 9/11 upon us. Teaching the truth that this was an act of Terrorism and not the false statements in children's books now days that downplay the reality of what we all witnessed and experienced. They should play the tapes, and teach non-fiction of the truth that fell upon us on that tragic day, 21 years ago.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Our southern boarder has opened our country up to over 180 different countries for free. The dangers that the cartels have on the women and small children should upset all. The amount of fentanyl crossing our boarders contributed by China could kill every American multiple times. So many people have lost a loved one to fentanyl. These days police say even marijuana has been found to be laced with it. 3 granules of salt but of fentanyl, can kill a person.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
People who have been on a waiting list for their citizenship, to come in legally.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
As a homeschooling mother since 2020, I pay a large portion to our district schools that are at 10% for ESL and Math. They have continued to plummet in grades while taxes and amount per child goes up. I believe school choice should be made an option for districts that do not preform to State standards.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Did not answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Each person is protected in the United States of America with their freedom. Freedom to choose right from wrong. Gender identity would not be included in such laws as each person is covered already under the constitutional freedoms of America.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Choose not to answer
Our family has many friends and family members that have married or chosen LGBTQ.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Agree
It has only divided our country and angered many people when schools should be teaching basic curriculums. Focus on the basics and allow for small focus groups for those that feel the need for extra attention. Mental awareness has been failing our children since these teachings began. We were always taught knowledge is power and if you study hard you will succeed. Now they have gone backwards stating color is a privilege, thus separating our students. We need to get back to our roots.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Lutheran, as well as Baptist when we visited our home in Mississippi. I have been a member of a Christian church for the last 2 decades.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
We offer programs for free identification cards. People have to show photo identification for various items or services. Voting should be one of those items to provide proof. Unless, they are in a senior center or mental facility where their identification is not readily available, they should be at least watched by someone related or knows their identity via wrist band or medical charts in order to vote.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Disagree
The people are suffering due to fracking in the United States, when we should be flourishing with the completion of the Key Stone Pipeline at this point. Maybe in generations to come we could gradually chose this route, but the sudden stop has hurt every family living in the country at the pump or in their homes.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
There should be limited government control, people are elected to speak on their behalf. Laws should be written with their best interests and comments in mind. We the People should never be ignored.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
As a teenager right out of high school, at the age of 16, I was a troubled teen. I do have a record from when I was a teenager. If it was not for the court systems in place at that time and the judges decisions, I would not be the person I am today. I am humbled to have gone through the system at a young age and to have come out stronger. I would not be the mother or wife today if it were not for my background.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Please visit my website for more information. I cannot post all of my ideas, as some have already been taken up by my incumbent as her own ideas to pass as legislature. There are plenty of plans as I have worked with mayors and our first responders going forward.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I fully support our good first responders. They keep us safe. If the mental health and community programs are failing, it would be due to those in charge of the committees at this time.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Our second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and near arms. There will always be people with bad intentions that can get a gun on the black market. You should not punish those who go about legally purchasing a firearm. Public Safety with a weapon may be peoples only choice to protect themselves come January 1st, 2023, under the new Safe-T Act the Democrats passed. As the police and sheriffs say, it is the anti-Safe-T Act. Police will no longer be able to remove or arrest felons if they were just let out the day prior for crimes. They will not be able to protect victims of domestic abuse as they were able to before, they will be standing with a ticket hoping the criminal will take it and show up to court. What about the victims! What about our families? There are good people with guns and bad people with guns. Would you rather be a victim or a survivor come January?
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
The gun does not shoot by itself. The person holding the gun shoots it. The person holding a knife doesn't get hurt, the person who uses a knife for harm is responsible. Should we sue the knife manufacturers?
