About the Illinois 14th Congressional District
The Illinois 14th District House election is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, but overseas absentee ballots go out September 21. Be sure to request an emailed overseas absentee ballot now and mail back your ballot ASAP! More info here.
It is located in northern Illinois, surrounding the outer northern and western suburbs of Chicago. Click here to see a map of the district. Every vote from abroad matters! The more of us that vote, the more Congress will prioritize Americans abroad issues. This is why it's so important for everyone living abroad to vote.
Lauren Underwood
1. Once elected, will you join the Congressional Americans Abroad Caucus?
Unsure, and would like further information from Democrats Abroad
2. How do you think access to voting from abroad can be improved?
Protecting the rights of American citizens living abroad is critical to a truly representative democracy. Without a doubt, there is more that must be done to make voting easier for Americans oversees, and in congress I have co-sponsored and voted for the For the People Act/Freedom to Vote Act, which improves overseas voters' access to the ballot box. Improving compliance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act and enacting the related reforms within this legislation to make voting easier will enhance participation rates and strengthen our democracy.
3. Several bills have been making their way through the House that are aimed at drawing attention to and/or addressing some of the most critical issues facing US citizens who live outside the country. Would you be willing to co-sign versions of the following bills?
Unsure, and would like further information from Democrats Abroad
Unsure, and would like further information from Democrats Abroad
I am already co-sponsor for this bill
Unsure, and would like further information from Democrats Abroad
4. How do you think US citizen services at consulates and embassies could be improved?
In my role as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have specifically prioritized embassy and Visa funding to ensure ease of access to services for all Americans. In my congressional office, we work tirelessly to help constituents with this kind of casework so they can easily complete basic needs such as passport renewal and tax filing. By increasing funding, embassies and consulates can invest in additional staff and technologic resources to improve wait and processing times, better serving the needs of all Americans.
5. What reforms would you support to relieve the undue burden faced by low- and middle-class Americans abroad?
In Congress, I’m focused on lowering costs for families and working together to grow the middle class. In particular, we must advance legislation to cut taxes for working families by expanding the Child Tax Credit. The policy was essential to cutting child poverty in recent years, and as Americans living overseas remain eligible for this popular tax credit, I know that we can significantly support working families living abroad.
6. Would you support adjustments to the tax code that align tax residency with physical residency, provided that they are resilient against abuse and are beneficial to the Internal Revenue Service?
I look forward to learning more about this proposal.
7. What more do you believe could be done to keep U.S. citizens abroad in mind when passing legislation in order to avoid unintended consequences for those living outside the United States?
I am proud that this legislation also includes my amendment to analyze the impact of the new, voluntary small donor matching program on candidate diversity—because Americans deserve a representative democracy in every sense of the word, and too many qualified candidates are counted out before voters ever get a say.
Voting rights are our most sacred rights as Americans and they are under attack. I am committed to passing reforms to protect them and to educate voters about their rights and options.