Darlena Burnett for Congress

Darlena Williams-Burnett, candidate for Congress Illinois 7^th District, has led an extensive career in Illinois government.  Her rich history speaks to both the struggles and triumphs of everyone from the working class to the Executive-level citizen.  Darlena believes that to be a great leader, you must first learn to follow.  It was with that philosophy that Darlena followed the urges of great leaders putting her on the path to becoming one in her own right.  Darlena’s agenda, if elected Congressperson, is to take on the some of the most complex, far reaching issues plaguing this nation; Housing, Financial Regulation, and Health Care.  With your support Darlena will bring a heartfelt voice that demands change to the Nation’s capital.

From the Desk of Darlena

When Housing is Not a Home

As the owner and manager of a renter-occupied housing unit, I commit myself to ensuring safe and healthy living conditions for my residents.  Unfortunately, this a luxury to which many Americans are not privy.  For years public housing has fallen far short providing even the basics in savory living conditions. For its residents the absence of quality public housing becomes viral as it negatively affects child development, stifles the advancement of adults, and can ultimately lead to increased violence, drug use, and health problems.

With the recent housing boom, even developers of expensive residences in prime neighborhoods cut costly corners in a rush to move on to the next project.  This has led to expensive repairs that buyers weighed down by hefty mortgages sometimes can’t afford putting them at risk of foreclosure.  It is time that both the managers and developers in the public and private housing sectors are held accountable for their work.  As a Congressperson, I will push for stricter guidelines for developers and greater scrutiny of public housing management practices.

Financial Responsibility is Everyone’s Responsibility

Though Investment Houses and Private Lenders have recently captured the attention of the Federal Government, I have long been an advocate of transparency in the financial sector.  The Government’s unwillingness to regulate several aspects of the financial industry has led to wave of economic devastation for millions of Americans.  No longer should convoluted language, lack of regulatory expertise, or an uneducated public lay the groundwork for Wall Street to run amok.  As your Congressperson, I will work towards the creation of financial industry rules built on best practices that all stakeholders understand.  My goal is to protect individual investors, as well as this Nation’s economy.

Health Care: The Newest Four-Letter Word

We can all agree that health care reform is intertwined with health insurance reform.  Over 45 million Americans are living without health insurance.  With the rising cost of employer health benefits, many working people have chosen to opt out of health insurance plans; while the ‘uninsurable’ struggle to find coverage.  A recent study shows that based on the effects of the recession alone (not job loss), it is projected that without action nearly seven million Americans will lose their health insurance coverage by 2010.  While these numbers are daunting, they must be confronted with real solutions that don’t put insurance companies out of business; but instead require them to change their business model.  When individuals with pre-existing conditions are denied insurance coverage they end up receiving care that could be administered by a regular doctor or hospital in the emergency room.  There, the cost of providing care is much greater and the individual’s likelihood of survival lessened.  When health insurance industry practices cause loss of life it becomes not only a political issue, but moral one.  No longer can it go ignored.