A U.S. Navy veteran, Jan Donatelli has been a commercial airline pilot, a union and veterans' rights activist, and worked for the Obama/Biden campaign in 2008. This is her first run for public office.
Windy City Times: What do you think makes you qualified, especially in this large field of Democratic candidates? What sets you apart?
Jan Donatelli: I actually am very different from the other candidates, because I've spent my life not just working on strategy and policy but I do—I'm an activist. I started off as one of the first generation of women pilots in the military. I know what it's like to run tough operations and to work hard. I know what it's like to get out and talk to people. I did the same thing on the Obama campaign. I not just only drafted policy but I got out to nine states, knocked on doors, made phone calls. I love it. I love that hard work, love talking to voters.
WCT: You've talked about Illinois politics—reforming the way that it's done. You supported the removal of Rod Blagojevich. What can you do on a federal level to affect Illinois politics? Is there specific legislation that you're interested in? How do you propose to do that?
JD: The federal system is different, and you work on different issues and different levels. But I think if we can start getting some good, true, fresh voices in Illinois politics, I think the voters will just start to develop a lot more trust in elected officials. And as we start to demand more of our elected officials, we'll get more. We'll get those fresh voices for Illinois politics that we need.
WCT: You're running for Rahm Emanuel's seat. Are there things about his tenure that you'd like to continue? Are there things you'd like to change? How much are you running with his policies in mind, if at all?
JD: I'm actually, of course, running on my own policies. And I'm very closely aligned, obviously, with the objectives of the administration. I would not have worked so hard for President Obama if I did not believe in what he stood for. One thing that I believe that former representative Emanuel did extremely well is that he really furthered the Democratic Party. And that's something that's also an important goal to me. For example, I'm firmly convinced tht we can expand our goals and we can reach out into states like Texas, and Florida and Georgia, and expand the goals of the Democratic Party. Those are the programs that work. We've seen over the last twenty years, for example, what bad economic policy has led us to. So we really need to pursue new objectives and go about things in a fresh and new way. And the voters get that. When we get out and talk to the voters, they just love what we stand for. They're so enthused and so excited.
WCT: Speaking of economic policy and about the stimulus package: there's been a debate over $400 million dollars in funding for HIV and STD prevention in the economic stimulus package, which was removed after some controversy. Do you support...
JD: I strongly support programs like that. I think what some people are objecting to is the fact that—and this is something pervasive in Washington in general—is that we'll do a bill, and all sorts of other things get put in there. Some of the objectors to that are saying, "That's not what this bill is for. This bill is for immediate economic stimulus: jobs. Job creation." And they think that we should address that separately. And I can see their point. I think they're extremely valuable programs, and we need that, but I do think that right now, this program, this bill, we do need to concentrate on jobs.
WCT: Another thing that this legislative session will probably address at some point is the Employee Non-Discrimination Act—there was some issue in the last session on the inclusion of transgender people. Do you support the inclusion of trans people in ENDA?
JD: I absolutely do, and I'll tell you why. I've worked with several transgender—and also people who have gone through the gender process—it's great! It's wonderful. We don't need to have these divisive arguments over social issues. Basically, Americans understand that you just accept people as they are and it works out just fine. For example, we've had gay men and women serving with distinction and honor in the military for a long time. The question is, do you allow people the respect and dignity to just be open about who they are?
WCT: What's your position on same-sex marriage?
JD: Our founding documents say all men are created equal. We use that "men" in the large, broader term: men, women, every single American is created equal. So we all need, absolutely, the exact same civil rights that every other American has. Total equal rights under the law.
WCT: So you do support same-sex marriage?
JD: I do support civil unions. Absolutely.
WCT: You talk about supporting a "reform" of the No Child Left Behind Act. What, specifically, would you like to change about it?
JD: I have six children now. And every single one has gone through public schools. So we have a lot of exposure talking to teachers—and you know they're the end users of the system. We need to stop making policy without taking into account the people that are going to use it, and the people that are going to be affected by it. For one thing, it wasn't funded properly. It's an unfunded mandate. So that puts so much pressure on school systems. It's been an economic boon to the testing industry. And so many teachers feel so pressured to teach to the test. Yes, we need strong national standards, because we need a prepared, curious, educated workforce. Just think about the changes we've seen in technology, for example. We need Americans to be able to adapt as change comes, because we can't predict what that change is going to be.
See www.donatelliforcongress.com .
