For an America where nobody is left behind, for an America where our communities are safe from occupation, and for an America that can lead at home and abroad with moral clarity, the College Democrats of Illinois commit ourselves to fight for these noble goals. In our own state, and on Capitol Hill.

Our Beliefs

A woman in a blue dress speaking at a podium with a sign that reads "Block the Bombs" during a protest or rally outside a government building. Several people are standing behind her, some holding signs, with the building's columns visible in the background.

Block the Bombs Act

We support the Block the Bombs Act because hardworking American families should not be paying for genocide. The proposed legislation, introduced by Illinois' own Rep. Delia Ramirez, would ban President Trump from sending 7 critical categories of offensive weaponry to Israel. Weapons that have been used to repeatedly ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people and enable Israel's war-mongering in the Middle East.

A butterfly with orange wings featuring black and white details, and the words "ABOLISH ICE" written along the edges of the wings.

Melt I.C.E. Act

We support the Melt ICE Act because ICE’s brutalization of vulnerable people betrays the American dream. We all grew up on the idea that our ancestors came to America in search of a better life, yet now we violently remove that very opportunity from hundreds of thousands of hardworking, innocent people. The Melt ICE Act protects our legacy by dismantling the U.S. immigration detention system, defunding ICE operations, and redirecting federal funds toward community services. We should be building communities up, not tearing them apart.

Bernie Sanders speaking at a rally with a large crowd holding signs that read 'Medicare for All' and 'It's Time to Act!'.

Healthcare

We support investing in our youth because our youth is our nation’s future. The rising disparity of wealth and increasing costs have placed our modern youth at a disadvantage. Life has gotten harder, whether it be attending higher education, becoming a first-time homeowner, or simply having a meal at preschool. Allocating more funds to support our youth secures a stronger and more prosperous future for our nation.

Statue of a woman with arms outstretched, surrounded by smaller figures, in an outdoor park setting with trees and buildings in the background.

Investing in Youth

We support universal healthcare because the richest nation in the history of the world should be the healthiest. Each year, an estimated 26,000 to 68,000 Americans die because they lack health insurance or delay or avoid medical care due to cost (Newsweek). This abhorrent reality should not exist in our America, and it’s time to build a new healthcare system to propel our nation into a healthier future.

A large group of people participating in a protest march on a city street, holding signs that say 'UAW ON STRIKE' and 'UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE,' with buildings and trees in the background.

Minimum Wage

We support raising the minimum wage to $25 an hour because Americans deserve a livable wage, not a minimum wage. Since the 1970s, housing costs have increased by 1,800%, healthcare costs by 8,000%, and public university tuition by 2,900%, yet wages for the typical American worker have risen by just 9%. No one who works full-time should struggle to afford housing, healthcare, or an education.

A woman in a blue shirt speaking at a campaign event, raising her right arm. Behind her is a U.S. flag and a blue background with the text 'Juliana Stratton'.

Citizens United

We support overturning Citizens United because the American people should be the center of politics, not corporations. Citizens United created a campaign finance system that has allowed corporations the power to buy legislators' votes in office. No amount of wealth should ever outweigh the voice of a single American voter. Our democracy should be decided by the voices of voters, not the size of corporate bank accounts.