Robyn Gabel

Gabel earned her B.A. in anthropology from Beloit College in 1975, her M.P.H. in public health from the University of Illinois in 1979 and her M.J. in health law from Loyola University Law School, Chicago. Her professional experience includes working as the executive director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition from 1988 to 2010, as co-director of Chicago Women's Health Center from 1980 to 1987, as training coordinator for Planned Parenthood from 1979 to 1980 and as a legislative aid to Alderman Luis Gutierrez.[2]

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Candidate Conversations

Moderated by journalist and political commentator Greta Van Susteren, Candidate Conversations is a virtual debate format that allows voters to easily get to know their candidates through a short video Q&A.

Click below to watch the conversation for this race.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am from Evanston, IL, and have represented the people of the 18th District in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2010. Throughout my career, I have served the people of Illinois as an advocate for all, especially women, children and the most disadvantaged. During my time in the House, I have earned a reputation as an effective and independent legislative leader.

I serve as the Chair of Appropriations - Human Services Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, as well as being a member of the committees on Insurance, and Museums, Arts and Cultural Enhancements. I am also Chair of the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus, a non-partisan group of energy conscious legislators, and the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, a bi-national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to good policy-making related to our Great Lakes.

Before coming to the legislature I served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition (since renamed EverThrive Illinois) from 1988 to 2010.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Good government: I believe that our democracy is based on "one person, one vote". I have made Illinois a national leader on voting access and expanded rights for the most marginalized. Illinois has too many governmental bodies. I was able to eliminate a redundant township and open the door to reducing others. I know good policy thrives when government is operating with efficiency and accountability. I have the skills and experience needed to lead in this critical time. Protecting our environment: As Chairs of the Illinois Green Legislative Caucus and the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus and Vice-chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, I am a champion for our environment. I believe future generations deserve a healthy environment regardless of their economic status, and I know that there is no time left to wait to right the course of our climate. Reproductive rights: It's no secret reproductive rights are under attack. In Illinois, we're doing something about it. I shepherded passage of the Reproductive Health Act, which guarantees access to reproductive health care for women even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. I continue to work to expand healthcare coverage for new mothers, birth control and all birthing options.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My areas of focus have been ensuring the safety of our children, expanding access to social services, championing environmental and clean energy issues including efforts to promote wind, solar and other renewable energy, guaranteeing the rights of women and children, reforming government to be inclusive and effective, providing easily accessible voting rights, advocating for fair wages and reducing and preventing gun violence.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The TV was on in school and the headlines flashed that the President had been shot. I was 10 years old and it was a shocking event.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is beneficial to have a solid understanding of the legislative process and people involved, but a deep understanding of the issues that affect the District and meaningful relationships in the community one seeks to represent is most critical.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

We must tackle climate change so that we have a world to live in. Also, our state is facing a deepening budget crisis and growing income inequality. We need to continue to address our pension obligations and make important budget decisions.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I have devoted my career to ensuring Illinoisans get the care and services that they need. In my role as Chair of Appropriations-Human Services I get to work closely on our state's budget to make sure it is a reflection of our values.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Babara Flynn Currie is the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives and was a personal mentor to me during our time together in the legislature. She modeled fairness and was a champion for her constituents.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

A constituent came to my office to discuss trespassing laws around railroad tracks. He desired to prevent trespassing by allowing local governments to build fences or other barriers to the tracks. Currently, funds were not available for these types of projects, they could only be used for grade crossings.

After further discussion, he revealed that his daughter had lost her life trespassing on train tracks. It was a moving moment. He has since devoted his life to improving rail safety so this does not happen to another person.

I have been working with him to change policy and have now filed legislation to allow funds to be used to prevent trespassing along the track.

Gabel's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[17]

Job Creation

Excerpt: "In the long term, we must emerge from this recession with an economy that is stronger than the one we entered it with. That means working to create sustainable new industries and economic priorities. It means focusing on retraining workers for the next generation of jobs, and creating a solid infrastructure from which our economy can prosper."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Providing quality health care for everyone has been my life’s work. Since joining the Illinois House, I have continued to fight for better health care."

Environment

Excerpt: "We all have a responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. That means working on a statewide and national scale to ensure we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, or working on a local scale to ensure that our drinking water from Lake Michigan is free of toxins, and our air is free of harmful pollutants. There are steps each of us can take to ensure we sustain our planet’s environment, but there are efforts we must take down in Springfield to accomplish this at a broader level."

Education

Excerpt: "I also know that the quality of education received by every child has an effect on all of ours lives as well – a better education system means a skilled and educated workforce, greater prosperity for our country, reduced crime, better healthcare from better doctors, new scientific breakthroughs in medicine and technology, and a more thoughtful community."

Healthy Foods

Excerpt: "I will support efforts to provide our community with better access to local and organic farmers, dairies and other food suppliers. I will work to create urban farming and agriculture pilot projects to improve access to locally-grown food, and provide community farming opportunities."