Issue Statements
Abortion
I believe strongly that abortion is a personal decision and that every woman has the right to choose whether abortion is right for her.

Campaign Finance Reform
I support common sense campaign finance reforms that include limiting contributions from special interests, full disclosure of contributions and shortening the campaigning period. I would consider plans that include some form of public financing for campaigns for state offices.

• Tod will not accept campaign contributions from tobacco, gambling, or NRA interests.
• Tod supports meaningful campaign reform including spending caps and limits on contributions.

Education
Education is the most important and fundamental building block of our society and we should fund it accordingly. I strongly support the University of Illinois, Parkland College and our local schools and teachers. I will be a tireless and vocal advocate on behalf of education.

• Increasing investment in higher education at the University of Illinois and Parkland College
• Requiring the state to fund at least 51% of the cost of public education
• Increasing state funding for school construction and school safety programs.

Fiscal Responsibility
As Mayor of Urbana, I have a strong record of fiscal responsibility. Over the last seven years, the property tax rate in Urbana has dropped 7-8% as a result of tax base expansion and keeping costs under control. I will be a fiscally responsible state legislator. I believe that new state initiatives and commitments, such as increased funding for education, can be funded by making them a high priority in the state's budget, which exceeds $45 billion.

Gambling
The long-term social cost of gambling is greater than the financial benefits that are seen by state and local governments. Additionally, last year's expansion of gambling by the legislature was a direct result of large well placed donations to political campaign funds, clearly illustrating the need for campaign finance reform measures. I will not support any expansion of gambling. I will support legislation that will tax gambling at a higher rate, prohibit easy access to credit on riverboats and other gambling venues and prohibit campaign contributions from gambling interests.

Gun Control
Gun violence in Illinois and throughout the country has reached epidemic proportions. While protecting the ability of legal gun owners and sportsmen to use their guns in a responsible manner, I support strong gun control laws such as required waiting periods for gun purchases, background checks of people purchasing guns, limits on the number of guns an individual can purchase within a given time period, gun safety requirements and strict reporting for gun dealers.

Health Care
I believe that everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care and will work to fund programs that will do so. Specifically, I support expanding programs that will provide more health care coverage to children and pregnant women and programs that will help families and seniors with the soaring costs of prescription drugs. I will support plans that use the state's tobacco settlement payments for health care programs. I believe that health care decisions should be made by patients and doctors, not by insurance companies.

• Working to provide every citizen affordable, quality medical care.
• Expanding the availability of KidCare to provide pregnant women and children with health insurance.
• Supporting the "Senior Citizens Drug Discount Plan" to allow Illinois' seniors to purchase their prescription drugs at wholesale prices.
• Supporting a "Patients' Bill of Rights," including the right to sue HMOs for harmful medical decisions and denying important medical services