Having never run for or held public office before, Mussman didn’t set out to run a typical political campaign. Instead, she started with a simple concept- that a mom with real life experience managing her family’s budget has a lot to offer. Together with several friends and fellow PTA members, Michelle went out into the community, going door-to-door and talking with thousands of homeowners, taxpayers and parents about the problems they were facing. She knocked on each door with a simple message- career politicians have done enough damage. It would take a “Mom on a Mission” to take back our state government.

Mussman went to Springfield knowing that it would take time and hard work to change the broken culture. Even though she has served for less than two years, Mussman has already taken clear steps to stabilize our state finances, bring relief to area taxpayers, and help get people back to work. She voted to cut her own pay and then gave 10 percent of her salary to local organizations working to benefit her neighbors. She also voted to cut $3 billion out of the state budget and sent billions towards the state’s mounting pile of unpaid bills.

Because so many homeowners Michelle talks to are struggling under the weight of increased property taxes and other costs, Mussman pushed legislation to freeze property taxes when area property values decrease. When childcare funding was threatened, Mussman helped find a solution to keep funding stable without asking taxpayers for more.

Mussman knows that her mission to take back our state government is far from done. Her legislative priorities for the future include attracting new businesses to the area and making the state more friendly to job-creating companies, fostering transparency and accountability in state government, and strengthening education so our kids can compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Mussman will also focus on funding for home care programs that help senior citizens remain in their own homes, provide support for families with special needs children, protecting children from criminal predators, and ensuring that returning veterans get the care they deserve.

Mussman graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Design. Her husband, George, is a high school teacher at Fenton High School in Bensenville, where he teaches AP US History and is a theater director. Michelle and George have three children- Matt (14), Justin (13), and Nicholas (11).