Sangamon Sun

Lisa Smith is running for District 96 state representative to “promote change in the state of Illinois," the candidate said in a statement.

"My family, especially my children, are driving me to make a difference in our state," she said. "Not only to promote morality and integrity but accountability for our tax money, to make their future brighter, for safe schools, safe communities and a tax-friendly environment for them to work, start a business and raise their families."

Before Smith earned her doctorate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she worked as a medical provider at a community health center in Decatur for 14 years working with mostly low-income patients in her district.

Down the road from Decatur, Smith set up and ran a school-based health center in Springfield at a  school for autistic and disabled youth.

She has never held elected office before.

Smith’s top three priorities if elected will be: Focus on making Illinois economically stable by decreasing taxes and regulation on individuals and businesses to keep and draw new business and constituents to our state; promote security and safety for communities by decreasing some of the legislation passed that is unfavorable to our law enforcement and increasing funding to promote hiring of police officers to defend our citizens; and promote school choice which will enable parents to choose which school their children would attend, leading to competition between schools and increase in education quality. 

"Blocking sex education in our grade school along with critical race theory based classes that would confuse and hurt our children is a high priority,” Smith said.

Smith describes herself as a “constitutional conservative with a strong Christian background” who believes that “the individual drives prosperity, not the government” and that the “constitution is a  document that should be followed as the founders intended it.”

She differs from her opponent, Sue Scherer, most starkly on criminal reform issues like the SAFE-T Act.

“Instead of voting in support of the police in this district, Scherer voted against them by enacting one of the most restrictive laws in the nation,” Smith said.

Smith has been married to her husband for 33 years where they have raised their 10 children, seven of which were adopted. Smith’s husband is a pastor at the local Christian church they  started, and they have been involved with the local food pantries, sitting on the boards of directors.

House District 96 is located in Central Illinois, encompassing much of Decatur and the state’s capitol, Springfield.