Brad Schneider Shares Priorities In 10th District Candidate Questionnaire

Voters will see several races on the ballot in the upcoming election, including the contest for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ahead of the March 17 primary, Patch sent questionnaires to candidates seeking the position to learn more about their priorities and positions on issues affecting residents.

• Editor's note: Patch.com publishes candidate responses verbatim and does not edit or add to the below information.

Below are the responses submitted by Brad Schneider, the Democratic incumbent in the upcoming primary race.

Your Name: Brad Schneider

Campaign Contact Information: (847) 748-3788 | anton@schneiderforcongress.com

Town of Residence: Highland Park

Position Sought: U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois’ 10th Congressional District

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Family: Wife and two sons

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Northwestern University

Occupation:Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Previous or current elected or appointed office:
U.S. House of Representatives, IL-10

Campaign website:
https://www.schneiderforcongress.com/

The single most pressing issue facing our district or state is ___________, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I always say the most important issue is the economy. Whether it is grocery prices, housing costs, healthcare expenses, or childcare, too many people feel like they are doing everything right and still falling behind.

Addressing affordability is essential to economic security and to restoring faith that government can work for people. Congress must focus on lowering everyday costs for working families.

Congress should also continue efforts to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, which are a major driver of household budgets. Giving Medicare the authority to negotiate drug prices, capping out-of-pocket costs, and increasing transparency across the healthcare system are practical steps that deliver real savings to families and seniors.

Over the longer term, improving affordability requires strengthening the underlying economy. That means investing in domestic manufacturing, supply chains, and infrastructure so the United States is less vulnerable to disruptions that drive up prices. It also means supporting workforce development, education, and job training so workers can access good-paying jobs and wages can keep pace with costs.

Housing affordability is another critical part of this challenge. Congress should expand support for affordable housing development, reduce barriers to construction, and help local communities increase supply while protecting existing residents. Stable housing is foundational to economic opportunity, public health, and educational outcomes.

Legislatively, whether through my work on the Ways & Means Committee or with my leadership of the New Democrat Coalition (the largest ideological caucus in Congress), I am focused on crafting and advancing policies that lower costs, strengthen competition, and invest in long-term growth.

Addressing the cost of living is not about one bill or one budget cycle. It requires sustained, practical action that reflects the real challenges families face every day. My priority is to make sure our economy works for the people who power it, not just those at the top.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

In my six terms in Congress, I have dedicated myself to understanding the diverse interests of our community, representing my district’s values and priorities in Washington, and bringing results back home, including more than $100 million in federal funds for community projects and $57 million to build a new elementary school in North Chicago.

I worked hard to earn a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee, rising to senior member status and giving our community a strong voice in debates about tax reform, trade, and crucial fiscal policies – an important role as Congress considers major tax legislation in 2025.

Through special appointment, I also sit on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where I have become a leader on issues crucial to our national security, including countering aggressive adversaries such as Russia and Iran, who threaten security and democracy around the world.

I am also proud to be a leader in Congress on gun safety and violence prevention, consistently standing up to the NRA and passing legislation that protects our communities and children. I helped pass the first real gun legislation in 30 years, including background checks and red flag laws. I helped deliver funds to stand up the Lake County Gun Violence Prevention program four years ago and secured an additional $1 million just this year to keep the program viable.

I understand that people are struggling with high prices for everything going up. I have proudly supported legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, which has capped insulin prices at $35 a month for seniors, lets Medicare negotiate for lower prescription prices, and is saving families thousands on annual utility costs

I am 100 percent pro-choice – I am endorsed by Planned Parenthood and will always work to protect the right to abortion for women who want to make that choice for themselves, free from any intrusion from the government. I will vote for legislation that protects full access to reproductive healthcare—including IVF and abortion.

As chair of the New Democrat Caucus, the largest ideological caucus in the House, I also understand the importance of working across the entire Democratic caucus, and across the aisle, to get things done. Indeed, it is core to who I am and how I work. I have developed strong relationships on both sides of the aisle to ensure I can consistently deliver results for our community and our country.

Finally, I am willing to take what may be initially unpopular positions when I think it is right for our nation. For example, being one of the first members of Congress to call on President Biden to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.

Do you support redistricting in a non-census year?

I strongly support ending partisan gerrymandering through independent redistricting commissions and clear, uniform standards. Our democracy works best when voters choose their representatives — not when politicians manipulate maps to choose their voters.

Independent redistricting commissions have proven to be a fair and transparent way to draw congressional maps. When maps are drawn using clear, unbiased criteria, elections are more competitive and representative. Voters are better served, and elected officials are more responsive.

I would also be willing to consider other ideas that ensure districts better reflect the priorities and interests of the people we are trusted to represent.

If you support tax cuts in Illinois, what spending should be eliminated to offset those cuts? Please be specific.

I will leave Illinois policies to the state legislature.

I believe in a fair and just tax system, one that is progressive, fiscally sound, and drives

economic opportunity and growth for all Americans. We urgently need to reform our tax code to make it responsible, efficient, and fair for working families and individuals.

I support efforts to close loopholes that allow people to avoid taxes they would otherwise owe. I also believe we need to close the “tax gap” which is the difference between taxes owed and taxes paid. A few years ago, Donald Trump’s first IRS Commissioner, Charles Rettig, estimated the annual tax gap to be close to $1 trillion. Before adding one cent of new taxes, we should be doing everything possible to collect the money that is already owed. That’s why I have long supported efforts to increase funding for the IRS to improve enforcement so we can close this gap.

Do you believe an inequity exists between funding for wealthy and poor schools? If so, what would you do to address the disparity?

Yes. The quality of a child’s education should not depend on their zip code. We need every child in America to get the lessons and skills they need to reach their potential and lift up our country. That’s why I support increasing federal investment in Title I schools and fully funding special education to ensure every child has access to quality education.

What specific steps should be taken to reduce the state's massive unfunded liability in its pension systems?

This is not a federal issue that will be addressed by Congress.

What would you do to help constituents struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living, housing and healthcare?

As I mentioned earlier, I will continue fighting to lower prescription drug costs, expand healthcare access, support Affordable Care Act tax credits for families, and advance solutions that help increase housing supply. We need policies that reduce everyday expenses while raising wages.

As chair of the New Democrat Coalition (New Dems), I am proud to lead our 115 members in releasing our Affordability Agenda that details many of the ideas we would bring to the next Congress. You can read the full agenda here.

What specific legislative actions will you take to increase the supply of affordable homes and lower monthly costs for both renters and potential homeowners in our community?

I support expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, incentivizing transit-oriented development, and investing in infrastructure to unlock new housing supply. We need to build more homes. Increasing supply is key to lowering costs for renters and buyers alike.

I am also proud of our New Dem Housing Affordability Agenda you can read here.

Do you support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in the Chicago area and beyond? Why or why not? If not, what changes do you think should be made?

No. Rather than taking hardened criminals off our streets, they have targeted hardworking people, terrorizing our communities and making us all less secure.

Our immigration system has needed comprehensive reform for years—one that enhances border security, modernizes our immigration laws, and expands our capacity to fairly and efficiently enforce them.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s policies have failed to bring needed reform to our immigration system. Instead, President Trump’s cruel, ruthless immigration policy has simply brought fear and chaos to our communities. Policies that scare communities and ignore basic legal protections are not only wrong—they are ineffective. We can enforce the law while respecting human dignity and the Constitution.

ICE and Border Patrol agents and leadership, in particular, have been concerningly out of control. Two American citizens died in Minnesota because of ICE and CBP’s violent operations. That cannot be permissible in the US. We need to rein in these agencies and ensure federal law enforcement agents can be held accountable for their actions. I support efforts in Congress to improve accountability for federal immigration agents and rein in excessive funding for ICE.

Ultimately, solving challenges with immigration within Congress will require a thoughtful, tough, but fair approach. We need to pass bipartisan legislation that includes reforms that effectively secure the border and get dangerous criminals off our streets, while also providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have lived here peacefully for years.

I support legislation that:

• Would require Department of Homeland Security agents, including ICE agents, to clearly display identification and insignia when detaining or arresting individuals and to ban them from using masks.

• Would set stricter standards and penalties for ICE agents’ use of force, ban the use of militarized equipment, require ICE agents to wear body cameras, and improve agents’ training and enforcement.

I also believe leadership overseeing ICE’s aggressive and violent operations must be held to account. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has led a department that has cheered on violence and brutality at the expense of American citizens’ safety. I have called for Secretary Noem to resign or be removed from her post – and if she is not removed, I believe it is incumbent on Congress to take action to hold her accountable, up to and including impeachment.

Do you support the repeal of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail? Why or why not, and do you think wealthier defendants should have an easier route to release?

No. Wealth should not determine whether you can secure pretrial release. And judges should be able to hold people who are truly a threat to themselves or the community, irrespective of their ability to pay a bond.

Would you push to repeal the TRUST Act, which bars local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement? Why or why not?

No. Local law enforcement should focus first and foremost on keeping communities safe.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m proud of my record serving the people of the 10th District. I reach every corner of our district. I know the people I represent, and the people I represent know me. Nothing makes me happier or prouder than when someone comes up to me at an event, on the street, or in the grocery store to say I don’t agree with everything you do, but I appreciate the way you do it, and I am grateful that you represent me. I never take any election for granted, including this one.

I believe I am the best candidate because I bring proven experience, effective leadership, and a results-driven record of delivering for the people of Illinois’ 10th District.