Dupage Policy Journal

As a mother, business owner and public servant, Tonia Khouri, a Republican candidate who is running for the Illinois 11th District Congressional seat, finds that supporting mothers and combating poverty are some of the most important ways to help Illinois families thrive.

“One of the most important things I want to do as Illinois congresswomen is help people break free from poverty,” Khouri recently told DuPage Policy Journal. “There are 47 million people in poverty, including one in five children. As a mother of three kids, that just breaks my heart.”

Khouri explained that Washington has spent $22 trillion to fight poverty, but it does not seem to be helping.

Tonia Khouri of Auroroa, DuPage County Board District 5 representative

“Today, if you are born poor you are just as likely to remain poor than you were 50 years ago,” she said. “What we’re doing isn’t working and Bill Foster (D-IL) isn’t doing anything about that.”

Khouri argued that better educational support can translate to better opportunities for everyone.

“We need programs that support skills and schools that reward hard work and demand results,” she said. “Helping the poor is the moral thing to do, it is the right thing to do and it’s what I believe is our biggest calling.”

Khouri said that America has always been viewed as “the land of opportunity” where, with hard work, people can succeed regardless of their socio-economic background.

“We’ve seen recently, however, that opportunities for upward mobility have been harder to come by than they once were,” she said. “While the middle class struggles with stagnant incomes and the classes become increasingly polarized, many question whether America remains the land of opportunity. This a fair question… and a challenge to servant leaders.”

Khouri said that helping low-income residents break free from poverty and overcome income inequality to achieve the American dream is something she has been passionate about as both a business owner and DuPage County Board member.

“The middle class and the working poor are being crushed by the rising costs on everything from health care and housing to consumer goods,” she said. “The non-recovery has made it very difficult for many to find and keep sustainable employment. Government needs to limit its intrusiveness so as to allow the free market to empower both employers and employees.”

With the struggles she witnesses and the stories she hears when she speaks with her constituents, Khouri said she recognizes that families need help and they are important. Khouri has three children: a fifth grader, a high school senior and a junior in college, so she knows how imperative it is to make sure systems are in place for jobs and education.

“When I am out in the district visiting with other moms, it’s amazing how much we all have in common,” she said. “See, no matter where you live, parents just want the same thing for their kids. We want our children to grow up safe and healthy and get a good education without breaking the bank. It’s really that simple. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure that out, it takes a mom who understands what we’re going through and who listens and cares about the community.”