Tammy Duckworth in 2016 IL Senate race

On Energy & Oil: Human activity is the major factor driving climate change

Duckworth: Yes

Kirk: Has said climate change is real, but questions the role of industrial emissions: Kirk recently acknowledged that human activity contributes to climate change, but historically has questioned this and voted against bills that would have addressed climate change.

Q: On Climate Change: Should government limit the levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere?

Duckworth: Yes

Kirk: No. Opposes carbon tax and EPA regulation of greenhouse gases

Q: On Renewable Energy: Support government mandates and/or subsidies for renewable energy?

Duckworth: Yes

Kirk: Yes. Also supports fossil fuel subsidies.

On Drugs: Protect state marijuana laws from federal interference

Democratic challenger Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, on the other hand, has voted in favor of House amendments to protect state medical cannabis laws from federal interference and for an amendment to stop the Department of Justice from interfering with any state marijuana law, including those covering recreational use.

On Free Trade: Yes to Ex-im bank; Yes to fast-track

Ballotpedia.org analysis of Congressional voting record on trade issues:
• Voted NAY on Trade adjustment assistance (TAA): On 6/12/15, the House rejected the TAA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 126 to 302. TAA is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services.
• Voted NAY on Trade promotion authority (TPA): On 6/12/15, the House narrowly passed the TPA measure in HR 1314 by a vote of 219 to 211. TPA would give the president fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent to Congress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster.
• Voted YEA on Export-Import Bank: On 10/27/15, the House passed HR 597, the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act, by a vote of 313-118. The bill allows the Export-Import Bank to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that want to buy U.S. goods.

On Technology: Longer-term government funding for infrastructure needs

"We can't continue to lurch from one extension to the next, we must come up with a plan before the end of the year to seriously address our nation's infrastructure needs," the Illinois members, including Sen. Richard Durbin, Rep. Tammy Duckworth and 4 other Democratic representatives, said in a joint statement. Duckworth is running against Kirk for his seat.

But Kirk's office said the senator had already secured funding to improve security measures at Federal Aviation Administration facilities and last week's audit was information that was already known.

On War & Peace: Iran is our enemy, but nuclear deal prevents Iranian nukes

Duckworth wrote an op-ed explaining her support for the deal. Duckworth said she reviewed the agreement, attended briefings with national security experts and heard from "hundreds" of constituents before reaching a decision. "I have no illusions about the authoritarian Iranian regime," she said in a statement. "Iran is our enemy, it is Israel's enemy and it is the enemy of all nations that seek peace and stability. But Iran's destabilizing role in the region would be much greater if it could obtain nuclear weapons. Therefore preventing a nuclear armed Iran must be our primary goal. While not perfect, I believe the nuclear agreement provides the US and our allies with the most realistic and effective course of action currently available to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program.

On Families & Children: Airports should all have 'lactation rooms' for breastfeeding

After realizing that many airports fell short in providing breastfeeding mothers with privacy and comfort, Duckworth is now leading the fight for mom-friendly airports--recently introducing a bill, the Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act, that would require all major U.S. airports to provide private "lactation rooms."

"We made progress in recent years by requiring employers to provide new mothers a private place other than a bathroom for nursing. This is a crucial step, but what about the breast-pumping mother who travels?" Duckworth wrote in a recent op-ed.

The legislation also requires that the areas are accessible for moms with disabilities. If passed, the mandate gives airports two years to comply.