Sarah B. Mertens

Data centers across Illinois have gone up very quickly in recent years, often with no or very little public input. I have heard claims that “closed loop” data centers are much less impactful on water usage and contamination, but I have yet to see the studies confirming that. As it stands today, we have surging energy costs, critical water shortages affecting quality and aquifer stability, and continuing to build data centers that worsen these issues is irresponsible. I support policies that will require existing data centers to mitigate negative community impact such as noise, water, and light pollution, as well as energy and water usage. I support legislation that would require community input before new data centers are constructed, as well as requiring data centers to include with development green energy solutions (ie solar). I support legislation requiring third-party studies to determine impact of data centers on our communities on an ongoing basis.

I support funding for scientific research, and have been extremely disappointed to see cuts at the federal level. While I do not have specific policy plans to secure funding at the state or federal level, I would support others’ plans to provide funding.

The impact of the changing weather patterns on our agriculture is complicated, and it needs coordination among many different sectors to address it. First, we need to do everything we can to mitigate the human impact to changing weather patterns. Second, we need to identify crops, both specific types and broad types, that are resistant to big changes in water, temperature, and fertilizer changes. The most difficult aspect of the changing weather patterns is the unpredictability of it; some weeks are incredibly wet with severe storms, only to be followed by weeks of drought. This seriously complicates identifying crops that can withstand a growing season, as the weather becomes more unpredictable. The third step that I want to see taken is improvements on how we fertilize and irrigate our crops. Advancements have been made over the years to improve water conservation for crops, but as we confront statewide issues of depleted aquifers, we need to continue research into water conservation. Likewise regarding fertilizer, the use of fertilizer greatly improves the yield and quality of crops, but at an incredibly high costs, especially this year. Sustainable farming research should also be continued to improve farming practices that limit the need for fertilization.

When seeking out information on any topic, I look for sources from subject matter experts that cite peer-reviewed articles. I look for studies that question and build off each other, and I look to experts to analyze the quality of the date that is collected.

When considering the efficacy and safety of vaccines, I look to studies by medical doctors, and the testimony of medical doctors in further analyzing those studies. My own experiences have been that the flu vaccine did not prevent my children from contracting the flu, though as a new parent I expected them to be fully protected. I learned from their pediatrician that, while it doesn’t fully protect someone from contracting the flu, it does make it less likely, and it very likely helped my children’s immune systems to fight it off quickly and with minimal complications. Studies that I have read, and medical professionals who have analyzed those studies have supported those claims.

I support closing loopholes that allow people to forego vaccines, such as religious exemptions. Vaccines are a public health concern, and I believe that anyone who comes into contact with others through work or school should be required to receive vaccines determined to be critical by a team of medical experts.