Background: Illinois assistant attorney general; lawyer; adjunct lecturer.

Why I got into public service: My mother, an immigrant, sacrificed a lot to provide me with the educational opportunities she believed I needed to succeed. I felt compelled to give something back to society and to try to make those same opportunities available to others.

Top Issue: Government ethics--a system that puts special interests over principles impacts every other sector of our lives.

#1 Rule of Politics: Today's adversaries may be tomorrows best allies. Accordingly, choose your battles wisely and never lose sight of the big picture.

First Job: Distributed leaflets for the local grocery store.