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Since being elected to Congress in April of last year, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) has made gun-control reform a top priority.
The congresswoman Monday released the “2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America,” which contains policy recommendations for remedying the nation’s gun-violence epidemic. The report was issued in collaboration with elected officials, gun-safety advocates and academics.
Kelly has also introduced a number of anti-gun violence bills, one of which would require the U.S. Surgeon General to present yearly reports to Congress on the impact of gun violence on public health.
She vowed to no longer stand for moments of silence for gun-violence victims on the House floor until House Speaker John Boehner calls bills that Kelly said would help prevent such tragedies.
“After the California mass shooting I went to the California delegation and told them that that was the last time I was standing up for a moment of silence,” Kelly explained. “With all due respect to the victims, their family and friends, [I’m not standing up anymore] because I feel like we’re being disrespectful … because we will not take action.”
Prior to joining the U.S. House, the New York native served as an Illinois state representative. She has also worked as chief of staff in the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and held positions in Cook County and municipal government.
“I’ve always wanted to be in a position where … I could affect a greater amount of people in a positive way,” Kelly said of her decision to run for representative of the 2nd District, which encompasses parts of Chicago’s South Side, the South Suburbs and Kankakee County.
Between a jam-packed day of meetings throughout her district with community groups and businesses coalitions, other media interviews and a march with activist Rev. Dr. Michael Pfleger, the Matteson resident caught up with the Daily Whale by phone to talk about her current undertakings. An edited version of that conversation is below.
DW: How do you compare serving as a government official at the municipal, county, state and federal levels?
RK: The local level is really where the rubber meets the road. You see people every day, your kids are going to the same school, you’re shopping in the same place. I guess for every level of government, you’re a little bit further removed. … But when I’m voting federally I’m affecting the whole United States.
DW: How do you effectively manage your time in a highly-demanding position such as yours?
RK: Having a great scheduler helps – she tries to schedule appointments that make sense so that I’m not running all over. ... There can be a lot of traveling. … So just really watching how we schedule the events and then every once in a while giving me a breather.
DW: Tell me about the gun-control bills you’ve introduced.
RK: I’ve introduced the one that would see gun violence as a public health issue and [require] that there be a yearly report by a public health official. Often we can change things by showing data so people believe or know that what we’re saying is accurate and based on facts.
The other [measure] is that guns are included under the Consumer Product Safety Act – … guns were carved out a very long time ago. So while cribs are included and car seats and things like that, guns are not included.
And then the other piece of legislation deals with not giving high-risk individuals the ability to have guns for a certain amount of time.
DW: I know another important measure for you is the designation of the Pullman District as a national park. How do you believe that action would benefit the area?
RK: They already have a number of visitors from around the world, but we feel that the designation as a national park, that will increase visitation. Buildings can be restored, and it can be an economic boost for that area.
DW: Congress is often criticized for a lack of bipartisan collaboration. Do you believe both sides of the aisle can work together effectively on the issues facing our nation?
RK: It’s interesting because it’s not like we’re fighting in the aisles. There are a lot of different bipartisan groups that get together, … so it’s not that people don’t like each other. It is some [philosophical differences], some of those people don’t want to give the president a break. He says “green,” they’re going to say “red” no matter what.
But I do think when it comes to national security there’s more bipartisan [collaboration]. It seems like more of the social issues that become an issue a lot of times. But I think we can do it if we really put our heads to it.
DW: What was your reaction to former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s recent defeat in Virginia’s primary election?
RK: I would say that was shocking all the way around, to Democrats and Republicans. And it speaks to no matter who you are, you have to be in the district and pay attention to your constituents. No matter who you are, the people take you in and the people take you out.
DW: What’s been your experience serving in Congress during Barack Obama’s presidency?
RK: I served with him when I was in the Illinois Legislature. He was in the Senate and I was in the House. ... It’s interesting to know the president and to have broken bread with him and those kinds of things.
DW: What do you believe his legacy will be?
RK: Well of course one of the things will be the Affordable Care Act. But I believe even though he’s only going to be there about two-and-a-half more years that it’s not written yet, there’s more to come.
DW: Tell me about your proudest accomplishment as a federal lawmaker.
RK: One thing that stands out is when I was able to bring parents who lost a loved one to D.C., and they connected with the Newtown parents and the Arizona parents. Because we wanted to make sure that the urban voices are heard, and I think that this event allowed that. There were connections made that are still holding so that these groups … can work together and move this issue forward.
DW: How do you compare working in Washington D.C. and Chicago?
RK: I love Washington D.C. I’m born and raised in New York so I used to go there a lot of times. Even though with both cities I’m working more than enjoying it seems like at this point.
But Washington seems, well it’s a little smaller. But the traffic is a challenge like Chicago. And I think in D.C. I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, that opportunity is in Chicago, but it’s compact [in D.C.]. They’re both fine cities, with good eats.
DW: What are some of your restaurants?
RK: In Washington there’s an Indian restaurant, Rasika, that I absolutely love. ... In Chicago, I love Grand Lux. I love Ron of Japan, Kinzie Chop House. And I love Potbelly’s chicken salad.
I spend a lot of money every week bringing Garrett [Popcorn] to all of my colleagues and people who work in D.C. They love it. I need to own stock in it.
DW: What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
RK: Relaxing with my husband and a few close friends, that’s what I like to do. I love to read, catch up on some of my shows, … watch sports. That’s pretty much it, I just try to get some me time in. Also pay my bills, go to the cleaners, go grocery shopping – just those normal things.
DW: If you could spend a day with one person living or dead who would that be?
RK: For some reason Frederick Douglas pops into my head; or Harriet Tubman. … Fredrick Douglas was such an important part of our history. [I wonder] what they would think about [our country] today.