Bobby Martinez Olson, Illinois House 2nd District Democratic candidate profile

Candidate profile

Bobby Martinez Olson

Running for: State Representative District 2

Political/civic background: US Department of State
Attorney for the Chicago City Council
Legislative Aide, Office of the Speaker
Clerk, Chancery Division of Cook County

Occupation: Attorney

Education: University of Illinois College of Law, J.D.
Loyola University Chicago, History and International Relations Degree
St. Ignatius College Prep. - Chicago

Campaign website: bobbyforchicago.com

Facebook: @BobbyforChicago

The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board sent candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives a list of questions to find out their views on a range of important issues facing the state of Illinois and their districts. Bobby Martinez Olson submitted the following responses:

Please tell us about your civic work in the last two years, whether it’s legislation you have sponsored or work you have done in other ways to improve your community.

I am a proud member of the Southwest Environmental Alliance. Our goal is to stop the pollution of our community and to bring awareness to just how bad it really is.

Please list three concerns that are specific to your district, such as a project that should be undertaken or a state policy related to an important local issue that should be revised.

We are now ranked within the worst 10% air quality in the United States. This is due to the opening of a number of industrial plants in our district since 2016. Elected officials failed to notify the public of the opening of these plants. For example, MAT asphalt plant is across the street from McKinley Park where children play and nearby a school. As a solution, Elected officials should give notice to the community and host meetings for feedback. Also, the legislature should consider pre-empting what is allowed to be constructed in areas where pollution is already so bad.

Pilsen in being gentrified to the point that it is unrecognizable from a few years ago, while Halsted Street in Bridgeport looks like a ghost town. The amount of development in our district is uneven and pushing many residents out. Local leaders should work together to ensure that developments are creating jobs for locals and affording them the ability to remain in the neighborhood that they grew up in. A cap on year to year property tax increases is a common request of residents.

Crime is not being prosecuted. Residents feel uncertain about reporting what they see to police for fear that a suspect will be back out on the streets the next day and seek reprisal. Even crimes commissioned with a gun are not being prosecuted. This was the case where my grandfather successfully defended himself against three armed carjackers. One was shot and the other two were released by Kim Foxx’s Office within hours. Despite the fact that they arrived in a stolen vehicle, and would go on to reoffend within hours of release.

What are your other top legislative priorities?

Immigrants should be listed as a protected class, in the same way in which New York City has done since the 1980’s. This is a far greater degree of protection than what is granted here in the City of Chicago or the State of Illinois.

Retail theft laws must be revisited in light of recent court cases to ensure that criminals cannot walk into a store, blatantly grab items, and walk out without repercussion. In addition, our mail theft laws must be re-examined in light of so-called “porch pirates” who steal holiday packages or deliveries.

Closing any other loopholes as was successfully done with SB 2339.

What is your position on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax? Please explain.

The Graduated Income Tax resolves an issue of equity or fairness. Working families are being burdened with the bulk of taxes in our System. Normatively, most of us believe that this isn’t right. The Fair Tax is a way of resolving this problem.

Illinois continues to struggle financially, with a backlog of unpaid bills that tops $6 billion. In addition to a progressive state income tax — or in lieu of such a tax — what should the state do to pay its bills, meet its pension obligations and fund core services such as higher education?

Bake a larger pie. Regardless of the tax system used, a larger tax base equals more money in our state coffers and in the pockets of the People of the State of Illinois. The private sector must once again be allowed to be the engine of our state economy. We need to create an environment which allows business to thrive and move back onto our main streets.

Certainly the plethora of new taxes just passed will inhibit this. For example, doubling the gasoline tax will hurt delivery drivers or those who live on a fixed income. It will also encourage people to buy gasoline out of our jurisdiction. Who knew that gasoline and sugar had so much in common? Nevermind the raise State Legislators found fit to give themselves this past session, as working class families and mom and pop shops leave Illinois. Our State needs opportunity and to trust the People of the State of Illinois that they know what is best with their own money.

Lastly, our elected officials must know how to accept a win. Gambling and marijuana have probably been around since the Ancient Egyptians. Allow these things to become established in Illinois, tax them in a responsible manner, and then commit that money to pensions and education.

Should Illinois consider taxing the retirement incomes of its very wealthiest residents, as most states do? And your argument is?

Illinois should not tax retirement income. Our retirees will leave the state, where they currently patronize many local businesses and have already paid their fair share for many, many years.

What can Illinois do to improve its elementary and high schools?

Elementary and high schools need to bring back shop classes. It is fine to learn Medieval English, but it is far better to know how to change a tire when one is stranded on the side of the road. Wherefore art thou jack and spare tire?

What is more, shop classes in high school give students options upon graduation. They may choose to become electricians or engineers in the booming renewable energy sector. There they can get a union job with benefits and not owe student loans. Should they need to return to school or go to university it is always a possibility but never a requirement.

Mass shootings and gun violence plague America. What can or should the Legislature do, if anything, to address this problem in Illinois?

We must ensure that illegal guns are being removed from the streets, and that crimes commissioned with a gun are prosecuted. While sincere debate rages on about legal gun ownership in the courts, most of the guns used for street crimes are obtained illegally. This was the case in my own carjacking.

Second, we need a States Attorney that is serious about enforcing the laws of the State of Illinois. There should be clearer circumstances in which prosecution can be declined. Otherwise the laws of the State of Illinois must be followed.

The Office of the States Attorney is not a supra-legislative vehicle for reassessing the criminal code. The General Assembly votes, the Governor signs and then it is law. It is not the role of the States Attorney to second guess the will of the people or give a second bite at the apple to proponents who failed to persuade the legislature.

In this instance, we must remove illegal guns from the streets and prosecute crimes commissioned with a gun.

Do you favor or oppose term limits for any elected official in Illinois? Please explain.

There are already term limits every few years in the form of elections. I will review the specifics of any proposal before me.

Everybody says gerrymandering is bad, but the party in power in every state — Democrats in Illinois — resist doing anything about it. Or do we have that wrong? What should be done?

The State of Illinois should reduce the number of legislative districts.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago is investigating possible official corruption by state and local officials. This prompted the Legislature to pass an ethics reform measure to amend the Lobbyist Registration Act (SB 1639). It was signed into law in December. What’s your take on this and what more should be done?

I am in favor of the position of Representative in the General Assembly being classified as a full-time job.

When people use the internet and wireless devices, companies collect data about us. Oftentimes, the information is sold to other companies, which can use it to track our movements or invade our privacy in other ways. When companies share this data, we also face a greater risk of identity theft. What should the Legislature do, if anything?

Companies must be required to disclose the data that they collect. Further, substantial fines must be levied against companies who fail to keep data safe.

The number of Illinois public high school graduates who enroll in out-of-state universities continues to climb. What can Illinois do to make its state universities more attractive to Illinois high school students?

For many students, cost is the biggest factor. There are a few ways our universities can appeal to students applying to colleges:

Promising the same tuition over 4 years is attractive to many students who are applying to university because it allows them to financially plan for the long term.

Reducing what courses, meal plans, and dormitories cost in the first place. It is far better to reduce costs then to cover them with loans.

Revisiting the portions of Title IX that govern athletics, to ensure that our best athletes stay in state.

Increasing the in state tuition benefit.

What is your top legislative priority with respect to the environment?

Industrial plants must not be allowed to open in high population density areas. The State must pre-empt municipalities who attempt to do this. The media should focus in on politicians who get kickbacks from industrial plants. In our district, the MAT Asphalt plant is directly across the street from McKinley Park and in close proximity to a school. Whatever a company saves in costs by opening up on a busy road, is far outweighed by the medical expenses of the surrounding and largely immigrant community.

What is more, we must enforce what is already on the books. There are several plants which have not been inspected for thousands of days in our district. This is a hazard for the community and workers. Local politicians remain mum, while receiving political contributions.

What historical figure from Illinois, other than Abraham Lincoln (because everybody’s big on Abe), do you most admire or draw inspiration from? Please explain.

I would like to highlight that Abraham Lincoln was from Kentucky. However, if I must pick someone from Illinois it would be Nick Offerman. He seems very historic and is a fellow alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

In all actuality, one of my greatest inspirations is Bobby Kennedy. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty. He was not afraid to meet people. Bobby was not afraid to let his experiences change him. This took the most courage of all, to have an open mind . . . and it is something sorely lacking in our current political climate. Bobby let the world change him for the better, and there was hope he could change society in return.

What’s your favorite TV, streaming or web-based show of all time. Why?

TV Show - The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson because his comedy is as effortless as it is timeless. Buddy Hackett was my favorite recurring guest.

Streaming - One Day at a Time because it is a relevant remake and one of the few shows on which speaks to everyday latinos.

Web-based - Rick and Morty because it is pushing the medium.