Ernie Marcelain
DemocraticQ1 Illinois currently has 138 data centers, with 8 underway, and plans for 29 more. Additionally, the cost of electricity and water are on the rise with nearby data centers straining current resources in combination with increased energy costs to consumers. Data centers also have several environmental and health impacts, such as significant water usage and noise pollution, which can lead to decrease in net economic gains. What policies, if any, do you support in managing existing data centers or establishing additional data centers? What specific plans do you have, if any, to mitigate utility cost burden for residents? Why these steps?
I fully support the POWERS Act that is being proposed in legislation currently. We must protect our natural resources at all cost. I want all data center owners to fully pay for all energy costs and to also reinvest into our environment as well.
Q2 Research activities in Illinois heavily depend on federal funding. However, federal funding cuts for science research and agencies like the NIH and National Science Foundation leaves the future for science research less assured. What policies, if any, do you support or plan to implement to secure funding for continued science research at either the state or federal level?
Science is the only way forward and if federal funding is drastically cut then I would like to look into tapping funding by taxing the wealthy to pay for it.
Q3 Illinois is an agricultural hub, making it an important factor for the state’s economy. What policies or plans do you have, or support, to support Illinois agriculture against changing weather patterns?
I want to make Illinois a state that uses less fossil fuels so I want to make it mandatory for all gas stations to have a EV charger so we can promote less emissions. Unfortunately we truly need this done on a federal level to make a difference though.
Q4 Scientific issues increasingly influence public policy. When developing policy positions or making decisions on topics involving science, how do you seek out information, evaluate scientific evidence and expert input, and ensure your decisions are well informed? If you can, please share an example of when this process influenced your perspective or decision.
I like to get all the information from people who are more knowledgeable about science than myself. I would call all the scientists into a meeting and discuss the positives and negatives on a certain topic. I love science but I leave the information I absorb from the experts.
Q5 Measles and whooping cough (pertussis) cases are on the rise in Illinois, with multiple outbreaks in 2026. How have you, how do you plan to, address this public health concern? How will you plan to work with relevant stakeholders (epidemiologists, scientists, physicians, for example) to mitigate this problem?
Since the federal government has reduced itself to an untrustworthy source of information I would like the state health department to lead the charge with public safety. I want to have our stakeholders to regularly communicate all outbreaks and statuses with me and the state. Then the state must be more transparent in those findings