Today, Americans are working harder for less and less. The gap between the rich and everyone else is growing exponentially. Facing uncertain job and financial situations, many families can't afford to miss a single paycheck. An unexpected medical expense can push a family past the tipping point. This is not our ideal of the American middle class, but for many in the “middle class,” this is reality.
Our budget priorities must include affordable health care, quality child care, investments in early childhood education, making college more affordable, and providing for a secure retirement. These are all issues that have been at the forefront of my work in the State Senate, and I will work to get them off the backburner in Washington.
In honor of her leadership on labor issues throughout her career in public service, Debbie was named:
• Citizen of the Year from the Will-Grundy Central Trades and Laborers
• Statesman of the Year by the International Union of Operating Engineers
• Business Advocate of the Year by the Chicago Southland Development Inc.
• "Woman of Steel" by Nucor Steel in Kankakee
