Maggie Trevor: Candidate profile

Bio

Party: Democratic

City: Rolling Meadows

Office sought: IL General Assembly House District 54

Age: 57

Family:

Occupation: Principal/Owner, Trevor Research Services, LLC (Market Research/Business Consulting services)

Education: BA, University of Chicago - Chemistry

MA, University of Chicago - Political Science

Ph.D. University of Chicago - Political Science

Civic involvement: City of Rolling Meadows Environmental Committee 2015-present

City of Rolling Meadows Traffic Committee, 2018-present

Democratic candidate, IL General Assembly House District 54, 2018

Previous elected offices held:

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Website: maggietrevor4il54.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggietrevorforil54/

Twitter: @trevor4il54

Questions and Answers

1. What is your position on placing a 'Fair Maps' amendment on the November ballot? If the amendment makes the ballot after the primary, will you support it? Why or why not?

The people of Illinois deserve to be fairly represented. Politicians, therefore, must no longer be allowed to choose their voters.

I would support a "Fair Maps" constitutional amendment if it allows for the formation of an independent commission for the drawing of district lines, a transparent and reasonable process for commission selection and communications, clear and fair criteria for the drawing of district lines, and a mechanism for public input. I believe that such a carefully crafted proposition to amend the Illinois Constitution should be put on the ballot for voters to consider.

2. What are the most important components that should be included in legislative ethics reform? What will you do to help them come to pass?

I agree with the reforms passed in SB 1639, which toughen reporting requirements for lobbyists, and applaud the creation of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform. In order for it to be successful, there must be bipartisan representation on this commission. The recent instances of ethics violations and corruption have been covered by existing laws, but the fundamental problem is one of enforcement. To be effective, the Legislative Inspector General office needs to be structured as a bipartisan appointment and granted subpoena powers. Ethics reform in Illinois, however, must go beyond the Legislature. We need to find ways to limit the effect of money in politics if we want to eliminate conflicts of interest, reduce the advantages of incumbency, curb the influence of the ultra-wealthy, and make all elected officials more fully accountable to the voters.

3. What should the state do to address the still-growing problems with its key pension programs?

It is important to remember that this crisis was the result of bad decisions over several administrations - both Republican and Democratic. This, coupled with a historic downturn in the markets, created a complex problem that affects all Illinoisans. It will take concerted action over a number of years to move to solvency for pension funds and pay down the unfunded liability. There has been progress already. State employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011, are on a different plan (Tier II) with less-generous benefits, and legislation on pension consolidation that should reduce some costs for taxpayers has been passed and signed by the governor this session. Moving forward, we must make full pension payments and address the unfunded liability over time. Future pension reform legislation needs to be carefully crafted to survive any legal challenges, be fair to taxpayers and public-sector employees, require all stakeholders to be at the table, and consider options based on current interest rates and realistic rates of return on investments. The passage of the Fair Tax amendment, however, would give Illinois the best options to pay down the unfunded pension liability.

4. Describe at least two circumstances in which you have shown or would show a willingness and capacity to act independently of the direction or demands of party leadership. Do you support term limits for majority and minority leaders in both chambers?

By the very nature of the work I do, I've learned to craft compromise through honest communication and persuasion. As a market researcher, I often find myself having to deliver bad news to people in positions of power, and then convince them that it is wise to change course. These skills, which I acquired through long experience in the business world, are essential to the work of responsible lawmakers - those who know their job is to put the needs of their constituents ahead of divisive, partisan politics. And I do not owe my candidacy to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party viewed the 54th District as such a long shot that nobody ran for this seat in 2016. Frustrated with the party's reluctance to challenge a Republican representative so clearly out of touch with the constituents of this district, in 2017 I knocked on approximately 5,000 doors and local volunteers knocked on another 3,000 to get my name on the March 2018 primary ballot. This past fall, I once again was not backed by the Democratic Party of Illinois. I again knocked on doors, along with local volunteers, and have secured a position on the ballot independently of party organizations. In doing so, I created my own connection with the people of the 54th District and heard firsthand what is important to them. I identify as a Democrat because I support the major platforms of the Democratic Party. I owe my place on the ballot to the people of the 54th District and, if elected, answer to the people of this district.

I do feel that term limits on leadership positions, as part of broader reform, could be effective in maintaining accountability. But more important to encouraging greater accountability on the part of all elected officials, including state legislators, is to limit the influence of money in politics. This will reduce the advantages of incumbency and require legislators to be more responsive to the people who send them to Springfield.

5. What should lawmakers be doing to stem out-migration from Illinois?

Illinois' economy continues to create good jobs that can attract people to this state. What I am hearing going door to door is that the underlying concerns driving people to consider leaving are all ultimately related to how we finance education. People are upset with their property taxes, and many see the connection between those high taxes and the state's failure to provide adequate funding for local schools. They also are frustrated with the rise in tuition for the state's public colleges and universities, as well as the uncertainty in funding for higher education created by the budget standoff. Consequently, some parents are sending their children to be educated at colleges outside the state. Those students who leave often do not come back. To make staying in Illinois more desirable, we need to approve reasonable budgets in a timely manner, move to a graduated income tax, increase tax relief for the middle class through targeted exemptions, restore state funding of education, and reduce the need to rely so heavily on property taxes to fund our local schools.

6. Do you believe climate change is caused by human activity? What steps should government be taking to address the issue?

Climate change is caused by human activity; the scientific evidence is overwhelming. Government at all levels must be engaged in and committed to reducing greenhouse gases. I support the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which sets a goal of 46% clean energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2050. The act will also help create more good jobs in Illinois and make the state a destination for skilled workers. I would also support a coal severance tax, if it is on par with taxes in other coal-industry states with markets similar to those in Illinois. I support using the tax revenues in ways that benefit communities historically dependent on coal.

7. The graduated income tax is designed with the intent to reduce taxes for 97 percent of Illinoisans. Do you believe that will happen? Why or why not? What assurances can you offer voters?

The Fair Tax amendment will give Illinois an important tool to fix our budget problems equitably. A graduated income tax is by far the best protection against tax increases on the middle class. The other forms of taxation in this state - property and sales taxes - are inherently regressive and, in combination with a flat income tax, weigh unfairly on lower- and middle-income residents. Instituting a graduated income tax is a way to offer middle-class families relief by adequately funding education at the state level and shifting away from reliance on property taxes as the primary source of funding for our neighborhood schools. This will help lower the overall tax burden on most families. As a state representative, I will fight for both increased state funding for local public schools and less reliance on property taxes to fund those schools.