Heather Steans for Illinois State Senate (SD 7)

An advocate for good public policy, Heather’s professional career has focused on government finance, economic development and education reform efforts. Heather received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban Studies from Princeton University and earned a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government where she serves on the Dean’s Alumni Leadership Council.

Heather Steans is pro-choice and has filled out a Planned Parenthood questionnaire with 100% pro-choice answers.

Steans supports increased funding for family planning, and also supports teaching medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education (including infiormation about both abstinence and contraceptives) in Illinois schools. She has vowed to defend a woman's right to make private health care decisions without government intrusion.

"Women’s rights to access reproductive health care are being eroded. Mandatory parental notification laws can create very difficult personal situations for teens while research shows these laws do not decrease teen pregnancy. Current laws also make it more difficult for low-income women to obtain abortions by not allowing the funding except in the case of rape, incest, life endangerment or to protect a women’s health and by not covering abortion services for state employees in most cases."

The statement above comes from Stean's website (www.heathersteans.com).