Election 2024: Michael Hastings For Illinois Senate 19th District

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort resident Michael Hastings is the Democratic candidate for the Illinois Senate 19th District. Senator Hastings is seeking another term.

In the Nov. 5 election, his opponent is newcomer Samantha Gasca, of New Lenox.

Your Name

Michael E. Hastings

Town of Residence:

Frankfort

Position Sought:

Illinois State Senator, 19th Legislative District

Party Affiliation:

Democratic

Family:

Mikey (8) & Maddie (4)

Education:

• B.S., Leadership & Management, United States Military Academy at West Point
• M.B.A. with Honors, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
• J.D., University of Illinois at Chicago -- The John Marshall Law School

Occupation:

Attorney-at- Law, Hastings Law Office, LLC; 9 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

• Vice President, Board of Education at Consolidated High School District #230 (Victor J. Andrew, Carl Sandburg, and Amos Alonzo Stagg High Schools)
• Chairman, Orland Hills Veterans Commission

Campaign website:

www.hastingsforillinois.com

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Rising property taxes and the threat to civil liberties are equally pressing issues that must be addressed. Increasing property taxes are burdening residents, making it essential to improve education funding while addressing tax mismanagement. I support the evidence-based funding model, which equalizes resources across districts and ensures all students have access to quality education.

However, property tax revenues are being mismanaged through excessive use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. In places like Tinley Park, many TIFs have been created, diverting funds from schools and services. These incentives benefit developers while increasing the tax burden on residents. I will advocate for reforms to limit TIF use, ensure transparent tax management, and prevent developers receiving incentives from donating to elected officials or political parties.

Simultaneously, the threat to civil liberties, especially reproductive rights, is a critical issue. I support ensuring women’s autonomy over healthcare decisions, including access to abortion services. Insurance companies should not limit essential reproductive care, and I propose legislation to prevent them from prioritizing profit over medical needs. As a father who has faced IVF challenges, I understand the toll these issues take on families.

By tackling both property tax reform and civil liberties protections, we can ensure a fairer, more equitable future for all.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

In this election, the choice is clear: my campaign focuses on practical solutions for our community, while my opponent promotes division and extreme views. We’ve run a positive campaign, focusing on real issues that matter with honesty and common sense. I’m committed to addressing our community’s challenges with integrity and clear plans for improvement.

Reproductive Rights: I firmly support reproductive freedom, including access to IVF, and believe these decisions should be personal. My opponent, backed by extremist groups, opposes reproductive rights even in cases of rape or incest.

Education Funding: I advocate for using property taxes to support public schools and oppose diverting funds to private or religious schools. My opponent seeks to redirect funds away from public education, threatening our schools.

Public Health: I support vaccinations and responsible measures to protect against COVID-19. My opponent opposes vaccines and has labeled the pandemic a “global genocide experiment,” putting public health at risk.

Gun Legislation: As a veteran, I support sensible gun restrictions to prevent school shootings. My opponent advocates for zero restrictions and supports arming teachers.

These differences highlight my evidence-based approach, focused on the well-being and safety of our residents, in contrast to my opponent's extreme positions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Mental Health: Expanding mental health services is crucial for our community. I propose collaborating with local hospitals to develop financing options and secure state assistance to ensure access to care for all individuals, regardless of insurance or financial situation.

Ethics: Restoring public trust requires robust ethics reforms. Legislators should be prohibited from consulting for companies that do business with the General Assembly to prevent conflicts of interest. Stricter regulations on former legislators who engage in lobbying are needed, and we must ensure government officials cannot use private trust funds to compensate employees without legitimate work. These reforms will increase transparency and accountability.

Veterans: Our veterans deserve better care. We must improve and expand veterans' homes, addressing both immediate and long-term needs. Upgrading infrastructure like roads and water services around these facilities will improve veterans' quality of life.

Infrastructure Improvements: Modernizing infrastructure is essential for growth and safety. Prioritizing upgrades to roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, and drainage systems will boost the economy, improve daily life, and protect the environment for a thriving future.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

A successful term in office would focus on pension reform, protecting civil liberties, reducing property taxes, increasing education funding, and supporting public safety. Achieving these goals would lead to a more equitable, sustainable, and thriving community for all residents.

A primary focus would be structural pension reform. It's crucial to reduce the state's liabilities while maintaining fairness for public servants who have devoted their careers to serving the public. Pension reform is essential for ensuring financial stability, balancing taxpayer needs with honoring commitments to employees. By addressing this issue, we can stabilize the state's finances and reallocate resources to other essential services.

Civil liberties, particularly women's reproductive rights, are also a key priority. I will advocate for policies that protect personal healthcare decisions from interference by insurance companies, ensuring families can make choices based on medical needs rather than corporate profits.

Reducing the property tax burden is another priority. Reforming Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts will ensure property tax revenues benefit the community directly. This, coupled with increased education funding, will provide better resources for local schools, giving every child access to quality education and development opportunities.

Why are you running for office?

I’m running for office because I deeply believe in the values that have shaped my life and our community. Coming from a working-class family, I understand the challenges our neighbors face—whether they work in trades, hospitals, schools, law enforcement, or downtown jobs. These families aren’t just making a living; they’re building homes and communities where their children can thrive, with access to quality education, safety, and opportunities.

The South Suburbs have become a place where people want to stay and continue building their lives. My goal is to preserve and enhance what makes this area special, so our neighbors can enjoy the lives they’ve worked hard to create.

As a combat veteran, businessman, lawyer, and volunteer school board member, I bring a unique set of experiences that equip me to effectively advocate for our community. I am concerned by the rise of extremist groups that threaten our fundamental values, seek to restrict civil liberties, deny reproductive rights, and spread conspiracy theories. These threats are dangerous and contradict the principles of justice.

I am committed to fighting for the values we hold dear and ensuring our voices are heard through policies that reflect our community’s needs and principles.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your district?

I believe the questions posed in this questionnaire are comprehensive and serve as a valuable tool for residents to understand and hold their elected officials accountable.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office?

I approach fiscal policy with a deep understanding of the diverse needs across regions, balancing the unique requirements of my community with broader state responsibilities. I view the state budget as a moral contract, designed to promote economic development while ensuring support for vulnerable individuals, including those with mental and physical disabilities.

Responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is essential. I am committed to ensuring that funds are allocated effectively and that government agencies understand their roles within the limits of a finite budget. The legislature plays a crucial role in maintaining checks and balances on state agencies and the executive branch, ensuring spending aligns with our fiscal goals.

Having experienced both budgetary impasses and periods of financial stability, I recognize the importance of ongoing budget analysis. We must continually evaluate the budget annually and long-term to adapt to changing circumstances.

With this year’s challenging budgetary outlook, I expect state agencies will need to implement spending reductions. As a fiscally conservative individual, I am committed to ensuring these cuts do not compromise essential services. Instead, they will be executed responsibly to maintain the state's long-term financial health and protect vital programs.

Do you think Illinois’s SAFE-T Act/no cash bail has been effective?

Public safety is a top concern, particularly in the South Suburbs. With endorsements from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Association of Firefighters, and other first responders, I understand the vital role law enforcement and emergency services play in keeping our communities safe. These endorsements reflect my commitment to policies that prioritize public safety and support those who risk their lives daily.

The SAFE-T Act represents an important step in reforming Illinois' criminal justice system. One key aspect is the elimination of cash bail, allowing pretrial detention based on the risk a defendant poses to public safety rather than their financial means, ensuring fairer treatment while focusing on real threats.

However, improvements are still needed, particularly around violent crime. Amendments have been made with feedback from law enforcement and community members, and I support continuing this collaborative process.

Policies I support include mandatory detention for violent offenses, improved coordination among law enforcement, tougher consequences for retail theft, and increased professional development for prosecutors.

My approach is built on collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders, ensuring both safety and fairness.

Should the state stiffen gun laws?

As a U.S. Army combat veteran and West Point graduate, my stance on gun laws is informed by my deep understanding of firearms and the need for responsible handling. To address gun violence while respecting individual rights, we need a comprehensive approach:

Preventing Access for Those with Mental Illnesses: It's crucial to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of individuals with serious mental health issues. This includes enhancing mental health services and creating privacy-respecting systems for reporting potential threats.

Safe Storage Requirements: Proper firearm storage is vital to prevent unauthorized access and accidental discharges. Implementing strict safe storage laws, like requiring gun safes, reduces the risk of firearms being accessed by children or unauthorized individuals.

Accountability for Illegal Firearms Distribution: Stricter penalties and regulations are needed for those who supply firearms to prohibited individuals, preventing guns from falling into the wrong hands.

Supporting Lethal Violence Orders of Protection (LVOP): I support the LVOP, which allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat, preventing violence while balancing safety and individual rights.

By addressing mental health, safe storage, illegal distribution, and supporting LVOP, we can reduce gun violence while respecting responsible gun owners.

Are there any state laws that you don’t think are constitutional and shouldn’t be enforced?

The question of whether a state law is unconstitutional is a matter that falls under the jurisdiction of the judicial branch of government. As a legislator, my role is to craft and advocate for laws that I believe are in line with constitutional principles and the needs of my constituents.

However, if I have concerns about the constitutionality of a specific law, it is crucial to address these concerns through the proper legal channels. This would involve initiating a legal challenge and presenting arguments in court to ensure that any potential constitutional issues are thoroughly examined and resolved by the judiciary. It is essential for maintaining the rule of law and upholding the principles of our constitution.

Do you think state taxpayer money should be provided to ease the migrant crisis and burden on Chicago?

Illinois, particularly the South Suburbs and Chicago, has faced significant challenges due to the sudden arrival of newcomers without notice, creating hardships for local communities. This highlights the need for coordinated federal, state, and local responses. While border issues are a national concern, communities receiving newcomers need adequate support to manage these changes effectively.

New arrivals face challenges such as health issues, language barriers, and housing difficulties. In schools, language barriers can hinder educational progress, requiring additional resources like bilingual teachers and language support programs.

These challenges strain local resources, including healthcare and social services. Many municipalities, even outside Chicago, are unprepared and need assistance from state and federal governments. While supporting these communities is crucial, we must balance resource allocation with other pressing issues in Illinois.

As the grandson of an Irish immigrant, I understand the immigrant experience. Newcomers want to work, raise families, and contribute to society. It’s essential to establish a clear, just path to citizenship for those who wish to stay while ensuring fair treatment under the law for all.

How do you feel about school funding? Do you think school funding is fairly distributed?

I firmly believe that school funding is a critical issue that directly impacts the quality of education our students receive. The evidence-based funding model, which I strongly supported, was a significant step forward in addressing disparities among schools. Prior to this legislation, some schools in our community offered advanced programming while others did not, creating a divide between "haves" and "have-nots."

By leveling the playing field, this model ensures that every student has access to a first-class education, regardless of their school's financial situation. It is important to recognize that our local property tax system largely supports educational institutions, including elementary schools, high schools, and community colleges. This reliance on property taxes has led to an unsustainable burden on residents.

To alleviate this strain and ensure more equitable distribution of resources, increased state funding for education is essential. By enhancing state support, we can reduce the dependency on local property taxes, thereby easing the financial pressure on homeowners and creating a more balanced approach to school funding.

Illinois now has a law that penalizes public libraries for banning books for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons — do you agree with the law? Should a school district be allowed to ban books in certain instances, such as books seen as pornographic? Is the mere mention of LGBTQ topics considered pornographic?

I support Illinois' new law that penalizes public libraries for banning books based on “partisan or doctrinal” reasons. Access to diverse perspectives is crucial for a democratic society and fosters an informed and thoughtful citizenry. This law ensures that libraries remain spaces for the free exchange of ideas, not platforms for political or religious censorship.

Banning books based on bias restricts access to different viewpoints and limits our ability to engage with diverse ideas. Exposure to a wide range of perspectives enriches our communities and strengthens our collective understanding.

When it comes to schools, it’s important to ensure content is age-appropriate, using clear, objective criteria. While reviewing books for suitability based on maturity levels is reasonable, decisions should not be driven by political or religious biases. LGBTQ themes should not be labeled as pornographic, as discussions about sexual orientation and identity are important for fostering inclusivity and understanding among students.

Ultimately, banning books based on partisan or subjective criteria undermines intellectual freedom. Libraries and schools should focus on supporting learning and personal growth, creating environments that embrace diverse viewpoints.

What should be done to reduce the state’s $140 billion in pension liabilities?

Addressing Illinois' $140 billion pension liabilities is a complex challenge requiring cooperation from state legislators, the governor, and the private sector. While no single solution will resolve the issue overnight, several strategies can help reduce liabilities and improve the pension system’s fiscal health:

Fix Safe Harbor Provisions: Adjusting the Tier 2 pensionable salary cap to align with the Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) ensures pension calculations reflect current wage standards, enhancing sustainability.

Refinance Long-Term Debt: By improving fiscal responsibility and our credit ratings, we can refinance long-term debt to lower borrowing costs, easing the financial burden and freeing resources to address pension shortfalls.

Earmark Revenues to a Lockbox: Establishing a revenue lockbox ensures that funds allocated for pensions are used solely for that purpose, preventing diversion and providing greater financial stability.

Eliminate the General Assembly Retirement System and Explore Consolidations: Eliminating the General Assembly Retirement System and consolidating pension funds could reduce costs, improve investment returns, and streamline operations, providing greater financial efficiency.

What would you do to help constituents struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living?

Reducing the cost of living requires a comprehensive approach. Here's how key strategies can help alleviate financial pressures on households:

Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Increasing the EITC boosts the income of low- and moderate-income families, helping cover essential expenses and reduce poverty while incentivizing work.

Preschool for All: Preschool provides early childhood education, reducing childcare costs for working parents and ensuring better academic preparation for children, leading to long-term benefits.

Improving Childcare Quality and Reducing Costs: Enhancing childcare quality and lowering costs eases financial stress for families, ensuring children are in safe, enriching environments while parents work.

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: Allowing the state to negotiate drug prices can reduce the financial burden of medication, making prescriptions more affordable for families.

Increasing Education Funding to Lower Property Taxes: By increasing state education funding, we can reduce local property taxes, making housing more affordable.

These strategies provide direct financial relief and improve access to essential services, promoting a more equitable and supportive environment for families.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Joining the U.S. Army and serving in combat after 9/11 profoundly shaped my understanding of our country and the freedoms we enjoy. This experience deepened my appreciation for democracy and my commitment to protecting it.

Over the past eight years, I've seen a rise in divisive rhetoric within our local governing bodies, driven by extreme voices. Extremists and conspiracy theorists dominate conversations despite being a minority, posing a threat to our democratic values. I didn’t serve my country to see extremism rise, and I am committed to fostering more inclusive, constructive dialogue in our communities.

Having grown up here, attended Victor J. Andrew High School, served on the local school board, and contributed to our community, I understand the hopes and challenges of our community. I’ve served in war, worked for public-serving organizations, raised a family, and have children in local schools.

As a candidate, I will lead by example, championing ethics reforms, increased educational funding, support for public safety, and public infrastructure improvements. Together, we can work towards a brighter future rooted in collaboration, not division.