As the March 20 primaries get closer, former journalist and EXTRA editor Silvana Tabares continues to walk the campaign trail in an effort to gain support from the residents of the 21st district. Tabares is running against Rudy Lozano for the state representative seat. The Brighton Park native answered questions regarding her campaign, education and why she has decided to make the change in her career.

EXTRA: What motivates you to run for this position and what do you see yourself accomplishing with it?

Tabares: I am a life-long resident of the 21st district. It is a district of diversity, including neighborhoods like Little Village and Brighton Park in Chicago, and towns like Summit, Cicero, and Lyons in the suburbs. Yet though such diversity exists, the concerns are all much the same. People are tired of living in fear. They’re tired of being afraid to walk their neighborhoods at night because of gang violence. They’re tired of being afraid of not being able to make their mortgage payment, and thus losing their homes. And also, they’re tired of skyrocketing property tax rates as the values of their homes continue to decline. I am motivated by the concerns of the residents of the 21st district, and their need for a strong and trustworthy advocate in Springfield who will fight for them.

Which of the issues you are advocating for do you believe are the most important to tackle in your community?

The two concerns that are at the forefront of people’s minds are property taxes and crime. It’s not right that people are expected to bear the brunt of wasteful spending and are forced to pay more while property values decline. I also believe it is a right to not ...