Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Early voters vote their choice at 191 N, Clark in Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. The lines stretched out to the corner and nearly around the block. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune)

PUBLISHED: October 7, 2020 at 12:35 p.m. | UPDATED: October 7, 2020 at 4:35 p.m.

Seats in the 118-member Illinois House are up for election every two years.

Currently, Democrats hold a supermajority of seats: 74 to Republicans’ 44. In Democrat-heavy Chicago and Cook County, many incumbents are unopposed.

But in the suburbs and the rest of the state, Republicans hope to pick up seats while Democrats hope to build on their supermajority. We asked candidates in contested races to tell us about themselves. Here are their answers to our surveys:

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Select a district

17th
18th
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77th
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82nd

Don’t see your district above? Check out this page of suburban districts (41st, 42nd, 45th, 41st, 47th, 48th, 50th, 51st, 61st, 63rd, 64th, 66th, 70th, 79th, 81st, 85th, 90th and 97th) or this page of districts outside the Chicago area (62nd, 67th, 71st, 74th, 76th, 62nd, 87th, 88th, 89th, 91st, 94th, 95th, 96th, 100th, 102nd, 103rd, 105th, 107th, 109th, 110th, 111th, 113th and 115th).

17th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Our state’s pension situation has developed over the last 40+ years, and as stated in the question, there is no easy solution. Several Illinois Supreme Court rulings hold that our state constitution prohibits unilaterally reducing pension benefits already accrued. Any amendment to the Illinois constitution would have to comply with the contract clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits state laws “impairing the Obligation of Contracts.” We’ve been down this road before, and the last thing Illinois needs is another legal bill with no results. The bulk of our pension obligation is for Tier 1, which wouldn’t be impacted by a constitutional amendment. Any new state employee who began working after January 1, 2011 is a Tier 2 pension plan member. Tier 2 increased the employee contribution and decreased the employee benefit significantly decreasing the average amount of accrued benefits and is likely as low as the state can go under the federal ‘safe harbor’ provision. We have a responsibility to seniors that worked their entire lives and paid into a pension to provide for their retirement with dignity. At the same time, the sheer amount of state funding that goes to pension obligations makes other necessary state expenditures more difficult. Consolidation of pension systems to limit redundant financial and administrative costs are a first step. The state must contribute in full its pension obligation every year, a measure that state failed to take for decades.

Voters will decide in November whether to change the Constitution from a flat income tax to a graduated tax. Do you support this idea AND do you believe middle class taxpayers can be protected from future hikes? How so?

As a voter, I support a shift from our current flat tax to a graduated tax structure. I believe it is a decision taxpayers should make directly, which is why I cast my vote as State Representative in favor of the referendum. Illinois has had a flat tax since 1969 whereas most states and the federal government have a graduated tax, and recovered from the Great Recession more quickly. States like Wisconsin and Minnesota have similar graduated income tax structures and see less outmigration than Illinois. Areas with a graduated income tax also see less upward pressure on property taxes and better state funding for schools. The Illinois General Assembly is already tasked with establishing and adjusting the current income tax rate. The graduated income tax amendment would create the ability to set different tax rates based on income brackets. The graduated income tax allows the state to raise additional revenue, if necessary, from the highest earners without also increasing the tax burden on middle- and working-class families. Especially in the aftermath of the dual public health and economic crises created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must balance the needs of vital government programs, including education and health care, with someone’s ability to pay. The graduated income tax is the most precise tool available to do that.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

While we receive a wide range of requests, opinions and ideas, one set of issues stand out—the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic damage. Every day, I hear from parents concerned about the safety and quality of their children’s education. I hear from small business owners who are in tears because they’re going to lose their life’s work. I hear from workers who are terrified that they will lose their job and their healthcare because of layoffs or business closures.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

My first priority is to help our communities weather the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge healthy, vibrant, and economically sound. We must provide support to businesses who need to reopen, and effective public education options, and a comprehensive plan to combat this pandemic. The University of Illinois has shown promising early results and more resources should be brought to bear to support these efforts. Another priority must be preserving our environment. While the current crises we face are dire, the health of our planet will be a concern long after this pandemic has come and gone. Putting our state on track to meet ambitious emissions and fossil fuel reduction goals is necessary to avoid future calamity.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

When I ask my constituents why they chose to move to our district, many tell me it is because of the excellent public schools. We know that most students who attend and graduate college in a given state will stay there to start a career and a family. Under the previous administration, funding for higher education was cut. Tuition rates rose and admission rates fell. By underfunding and neglecting our higher education system, the Rauner administration created a situation wherein more bright young Illinoisans moved, permanently, to other states after they graduated college. We must reverse this trend and encourage the best and brightest to attend college in Illinois—and stay here to build our economy. We must find ways to bolster and grow small business in Illinois. I support the Small Business Tax Credit worth $5,000 for each new full-time employee, the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, the Downstate/Suburban Small Business Stabilization Program, and state-sponsored Bridge Loans for small businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

It has become painfully clear that it is time for new leadership in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Democratic Party of Illinois. I have called on Speaker Madigan to step down as Speaker of the House and Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Criminal investigations documenting corruption at the highest levels have created a crisis of confidence and undermined the integrity and public trust that leadership demands. Speaker Madigan must not continue to serve in the role of Speaker of the House or as Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party.

I understand and agree with many of my colleagues’ concerns about due process. I fully support due process for Speaker Madigan and anyone else with respect to ongoing criminal investigations. However, whether someone should retain leadership positions in the General Assembly and the Illinois Democratic Party is a question of moral, ethical, and personal judgement, not criminal process. Leadership is a privilege, and we must hold our leaders to a higher standard.

We are confronting one of the most consequential moments of our time. Thousands of our fellow citizens have gathered to support Black Lives Matter and demand an end to racial injustice. We must address unprecedented challenges to public health and our economy amid a pandemic that has exposed systemic inequalities and a dangerously shallow safety net. We face a climate crisis with no time to waste. In this moment, we cannot afford distractions, doubt or distrust to hang over our work in Springfield.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

In my view, the most important ethics reform measure we can take would be to establish term limits for legislative leadership and separate party leadership from legislative leadership roles. This prevents the harmful accumulation of power over decades that prevents accountability and clouds transparency.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I believe that Governor Pritzker has done a good job in a very difficult situation. His administration has been forthcoming with information and has allowed science and public health expertise to guide his decision-making. I have concerns about our state’s ability to provide quality education in a safe setting. There are no perfect solutions, but I know that Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in the General Assembly have made this our top priority and will do everything we can to create the best possible outcome.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Disclaimer: Before delving into the granular details of policy, and recognizing that all proposed legislation is aspirational, we need to take a position on the ground rules, on the level playing field for the “game.”

Unless and until the American People, including the people of the Illinois’ 17th state representative district, take a stand against the tyranny of the donor-dominated campaign finance system and the two donor-dominated establishment parties, 95% of all legislation will be mailed in from special interests outside of the electorate and passively enacted by representatives serving as agents for that constituency and those interests.

Unless and until the truly “silent” majority, the approximately one hundred million Americans who declined to exercise their right to vote, become engaged with new political parties and politicians independent of corporate, PAC, and lobbyist money and influence, America will continue its descent into despair and the sort of alarming chaos we have seen in recent days.

Neither of the two established brands of corporate authoritarianism will be able to reverse this free-fall; only the People can. Then and only then will we elect representatives with the political resolve to tackle Illinois’ budgetary crisis.

To your question: First, to the extent Illinois lawmakers decline corporate, PAC, lobbyist contributions, as I have done, they will be unencumbered to act in the best interests of their human, as opposed to corporate, constituents. The fact that Illinois’ second consecutive billionaire governor supports the Fair Tax shows just how real and dire the threat to social cohesion is if we “continue down the path” of the supply-side fallacy which has bankrupted public investment over the past forty years. I note that Warren Buffet, the head of one of the three families that owns half the United States of America, has also said during the Obama administration that taxes on the mega-rich are too low.

To fund the pension liabilities, I support the Fair Tax; I would also support a $1.00 LaSalle Street tax on trading contracts, which average approximately $200,000.00 each.

As a general proposition, I oppose the current “flat” income tax, and oppose regressive taxes and fees generally; however, there are some activities and behaviors so injurious and toxic as to warrant taxation. Sugar and plastic come to mind, and they often occur in the same setting.

Obesity and diabetes are epidemic, especially among Illinois’ most vulnerable populations. It costs the public billions, and is thus analogous to tobacco before we made societal change on that public health menace.

We all saw what happened when Cook County Board President Preckwinkle attempted to impose a fee on this destructive behavior, the excessive consumption of soft drinks; she was betrayed by one of the last Daleys in public life and lobbyists descended on Cook County. This provides a case study on how politicians from the establishment parties, joined at the hip to the special interests, are hobbled and prevented from acting in the public interest.

Another example: plastic is one of the most destructive substances on the planet, and less than 10% of it is recycled. Yet, because of the donations from food service and various industrial sectors, no politician in his or her right mind could make the right public interest recommendation that I make: that we ban extremely toxic materials like PFAS (a food packaging component described as an “emerging contaminant”) and styrofoam. We should then tax, heavily, plastic containers and food service, to reverse this toxic trend, save our oceans and Great Lakes water.

Yes to the graduated tax, see above.

Under the current formulation, 97% of Illinoisans would not see any increase. Citizens earning from $100k to $250k would not see any change, while those earning under $100k would get a minuscule decrease, pursuant to illinoispolicy.org.

When you invoke the term “middle class,” you should bear in mind that most Americans are two paychecks away from defaulting on their mortgage or rent. Your term “middle class” is not defined, but the presumption embedded in the question seems pejorative toward a conjectural “lower class.”

“Middle class” taxpayers will presumably retain the right to vote. That, and the First Amendment is how citizens of all classes will protect themselves from tyranny of all sorts, or at least that was how it was contemplated by the Founders, prior to the Citizens United decision.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Illinoisans in every district, including the 17th, are weary of corruption, collusion, a rigged system; people want reform and government to function independently of lobbyists and special interests. People across the political spectrum want good education, healthcare, employment. People are tired of the platitudes and culture wars waged by both parties.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

As an initial matter, I fully support the Ten Key Values of the Illinois Green Party, found at ILGP.org. Our first priority must be defending Illinoisans against a tsunami of debt, defaults, destabilization and collapse of social cohesion that is coming, has already started, and will intensify, AFTER the elections, as the CARES act and other corporate welfare that is projected to bankrupt 40-50% of the small business community. I will additionally propose an “Illinois Commission on Reparations, Truth and Reconciliation” to hold hearings, make findings, and compose draft legislation to remediate and repair the lingering effect of slavery on tens of thousands of Illinoisans descended from the shameful legacy.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Community Colleges must be made debt-free, immediately, with an eye to moving to free public education to the baccalaureate level, similar to programs in Oregon, Nevada, Arkansas, New Jersey, Maryland, Tennessee, New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, Kentucky, and Indiana. Illinois should have a public option drug plan immediately, paid with funds from the “Sugar-diabetes” tax I spoke of earlier.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

I think the current focus on the Speaker is misplaced, especially from those who enthusiastically accepted support from the Speaker until the scandal broke. Replacing the Speaker would be a feint, a temporary distraction that would do nothing to change the fundamental way we do business in Illinois. If the Speaker were forced to resign, it should not be regarded as a signal to the voters, to the media or any else that real reform has occurred. We should be shining light on the corporate-dominated, donor-dominated system itself.

I don’t believe in good guys and bad guys; unless and until the system is reformed by the voters, one donor-dominated Speaker will be replaced by another donor-dominated Speaker. I note that there is also a constitutional presumption of innocence.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I support the ethics reforms proposed last year at the federal level by Senator Elizabeth Warren, the “Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act”.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I would give Governor Pritzker a “C” grade. This is because not only as a Governor, but as a member of Illinois’ economic elite, he too is culpable for decades’ long decline in our healthcare infrastructure, in our public health infrastructure, and in the diversion of public resources into private hands. I am encouraged to see that public resources like the Illinois National Guard and McCormick Place were utilized, but I would like to see the Governor use his executive powers to house the homeless and provide social services to at-risk populations, as well as the release of non-violent offenders from Illinois prisons and jails. I would probably give the Governor a higher grade, were it not for his persistence in ignoring the advice of medical experts and Illinois election authorities by holding the Illinois Primary on March 17th, for partisan political purposes.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Because of debts and our states’ financial status, Illinois has the worst credit rating of the fifty states. Like all debt solutions, we have to cut spending and allocate funds wisely. Also, most of the debts are from pension issues. We will need pension reform proportionally and that is better than imposing new taxes or raising taxes continuously since this will make our citizens move out of our state more.

I disagree with graduated income tax. As I mentioned earlier, in one of my top priorities, I want to keep the flat tax at 4.95% so that everyone pays taxes from what they earned equally. Progressive tax will be a gateway to raise taxes in the future and wealthy ones may move out, then the middle class will be burdened to pay more taxes in the future.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

My focus is to restore all businesses in my district. Firstly, many have been impacted by coronavirus. Small businesses have been damaged and many are suffering due to the pandemic, riots, and lootings. We should assist businesses by giving them special business tax credits or cut taxes temporarily to restore them. This will also help our businesses to hire back employees which will reduce the unemployment rate in Illinois. I will also defend our police so that they can keep maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating any criminal activities.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

First, Illinois has one of the highest tax rates in the nation. The state is drowning in debt and the high taxes are out of control. It is so unsustainable that people and businesses are moving out. I will work towards eliminating the root causes of out of control spending. I want Illinois to be a desirable state to work, live in, and do business. Second, we need solutions to the Reproductive Health Act. Instead of using taxpayer money on abortions, why not explore other options, such as ultrasounds, adoptions, and foster care.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

I want to keep the flat tax and reduce property taxes, which is the main reasons many want to move out of Illinois since it is not affordable, especially during this time. I want to assist our businesses by giving them special business tax credits or cut taxes temporarily to restore them during this time.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

If this corruption is proven to be real, House Speaker Madigan and any other politician should resign. House Speaker Madigan has to take full responsibilities as a public official (House Speaker & House Representatives) since he knows better what is right and wrong

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I definitely think that making database disclosure forms like SB 1639 from state officials publicly accessible is a way to prevent any corruption in the state of Illinois. Transparency is a key for elected officials. However, we should also find a way to measure if this law is effective so that we can revise accordingly. We should definitely make policies that allow for better monitoring and evaluation of decision making.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not cooperate with the federal government to solve the coronavirus problems strategically, but instead he had been focusing on attacking President Trump that did not help us at all. Some of our citizens could not receive any assistance when COVID 19 hit Illinois very hard in April. Our citizens were struggling to get unemployment insurance as well as assistance from damages of the looting. Also, Illinois’ law enforcement has been weakened. The focus has to be on the citizens rather than the power game of political agenda.

18th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Controlling pension costs is a critical step in putting Illinois back on stable ground and improving our bond rating. In 2011, the General Assembly passed pension reforms that will minimize pension costs in the future. It is our responsibility to provide stability until the early 2030s when those reforms will clearly have an effect. Illinois took a significant step toward controlling pension costs by allowing Police and Fire pensions around the state to consolidate investments. Many of these small pension funds have been unable to achieve adequate returns because they cannot achieve economies of scale like the larger pension funds. Now municipalities have the opportunity to have their investments perform better and increase their yields.

Since my election in 2010, the state has paid its required pension payments. Those constitutionally required payments continue to grow and consume more of the state budget. The passage of the Fair Tax is critically important to the state’s ability to continue to make those required payments. By taxing millionaires at a higher rate on their income over $250,000, the state revenue will grow with the economy and bring in an additional $3 billion. These funds can then be used to balance the budget and contribute to the pension payments during these years when the difficult fiscal situation is especially exacerbated by the pandemic.

I support the constitutional amendment to allow for a graduated rate income tax. The flat tax, that was part of the 1970 Illinois constitution, came at a time when the country was experiencing a continual rise in income equity since the 1940’s. Little did they know that they were at the peak of income equality and since that time, the disparity has increased. In Chicago, from 1970 to 2010, census tracts for very low income families have increased from 17% to 46%; 53% of census tracts have declined in income and very high income tracts grew from 3% to 15%. More of the wealth in this state is going to fewer people, while a flat tax treats all income brackets the same.

Seventy-five percent of states with a state income tax have a graduated rate as does our federal tax structure. The proposed model will increase taxes for only 3% of the population on their income over $250,000 a year. Ninety-seven percent will stay the same or see a decrease. It is estimated that this will provide $3 billion in much needed revenue to the state.

Compared to a flat tax, the middle class is more protected with a graduated rate tax structure. A graduated tax will keep the rate the same for earnings in the middle class range, while only raising it on the amounts above that, rather than imposing a tax increase across the board for all income levels.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

The issue of concern to so many in the district is the environment, primarily, the need to promote clean and renewable energy while creating new jobs. There is overwhelming support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act that can unlock tens of millions of dollars of private investment, creating thousands of clean energy jobs without raising taxes, hiking electric bills or spending scarce state revenue. Reducing the amount of carbon in the environment through electrifying the transportation sector and increasing renewable energy is also a critical priority. Environmental concerns include plastic waste as well as polluted water and air. Being a lakefront community, erosion of our beaches is another specific concern to the district. We have seen a number of our beaches completely disappear over the last few years up and down the north suburban lakefront including our beloved dog beach. Constituents and local governments are committed to addressing racial equity, environmental justice, police reform and public safety. Evanston is the first governmental body that has passed and is implementing a resolution to provide reparations to the Black community. An Environmental Justice Resolution has been adopted by the Evanston City Council and will be followed by the development of a more comprehensive Environmental Justice Ordinance.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

In response to the district, my top priorities will be energy/environment legislation and addressing institutional racial inequities. Passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act or comprehensive energy policy legislation is necessary. If we do not act now on behalf of our climate we will not have a world in which to live. In the context of our national reckoning with racial equity, legislation to address systemic racism should be a priority for Illinois. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus will be leading comprehensive reforms in the areas of criminal justice, healthcare, education and economics and I look forward to working with them. I will continue my work on juvenile justice reform that disproportionately affects Black youth. Ending pretrial incarceration of children under the age of 13 is a priority for me. One day in detention creates profound trauma and negative life-long consequences for a child. The Governor intends to transform the Department of Juvenile Justice away from a prison based model towards a community based, close-to-home model and I fully support him. We need to prioritize women’s health, particularly Black maternal health in Illinois. The United States has the worst rate of maternal mortality in the developed world. We are the only developed country where the maternal mortality rate is rising. In Illinois, Black mothers are seven times more likely to die than white mothers. There are a myriad of improvements in health care and social services that are needed to reduce the high maternal/infant mortality rate. The effect of the decimation of our public health departments has been dramatically felt with the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Rebuilding this most vital sector is also a top priority.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

According to research from WBEZ, comparing the populations who left Illinois from 2009-20013 to those who left from 2014-2018 should help us determine the factors for leaving and solutions to reducing those numbers. The increase has taken place among people over 65, those with college degrees, and more middle and higher income people. Job related issues were cited as the most common reason for people leaving Illinois followed by retirement. The Governor’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has initiated a program to help small businesses during this pandemic. Business Interruption Grants (BIG) have begun to be distributed with over $720,000 distributed in the 18th District. Applications are being accepted now to distribute more funds. Other policies should be considered to keep jobs in Illinois. Passing the Fair tax would increase employment opportunities by allowing middle income residents to keep more of their income to spend on goods and services in the state thus creating the need to hire more employees. When I ask businesses how I can help them, most tell me that they want more customers. More money in the pockets of the middle class will bring more customers to businesses. They also state the need for a stable financial environment with a consistent tax structure which would be realized by passing the Fair Tax and creating a tax structure that will grow with our economy. Research from the Pew Foundation showed that Illinois residents continued a trend to move to warmer southern states, especially for retirement. There is little state government can do to reverse this trend.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

As a member of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, I put out a statement about this investigation. Here is the statement: “On Friday, the US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois released the deferred prosecution agreement it has reached with ComEd. The behavior alleged in this document is an unacceptable breach of the public trust. If these allegations are true, Speaker Madigan and any other elected official involved in this scheme must resign from public service. We founded the Progressive Caucus because we believe that government can be, and must be, a force for fairness and justice in people’s lives. This kind of behavior is exactly why so many Illinoisans have lost faith in that notion. We deserve better and we must demand better. “

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I voted for the establishment of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform. To assist them in their deliberations, I worked with a group of legislators to identify nine specific measures that will have an immediate impact on good government in Springfield. These are: a prohibition on legislators as lobbyists, stopping the legislator to lobbyist revolving door, a more accurate description of lobbying to include “consulting” or any other legal fiction, more full disclosure of outside income, establishing a censure process, strengthening the oversight of the Legislative Inspector General, ending the exemption of legislators in the Illinois Human Rights Act, establishing term limits for Legislative Leadership positions, and establishing a clear and consistent process for removing leadership and committee chairs for wrongdoing.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Governor Pritzker deserves commendation for his stalwart leadership and insistence on following science and data during this pandemic. He appeared daily at press conferences for months and was willing to answer any and all questions posed to him, maintaining calm and control. Illinois was able to handle all the hospitalizations and did not run out of ICU beds or ventilators. I am particularly impressed with the staff that he has brought onto his team who help manage this crisis with him, from his Chief of Staff Anne Caprara to the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike. Countless lives have been saved by their smart policies and willingness to make tough decisions. My only concern is that the Illinois Department of Employment Security has had some difficulties providing services in a timely manner. While it is fair to note there has never been in the history of the department a crisis like this, more attention needs to be paid to the multiple problems it is facing. On the positive side, there were tens of thousands of people who were helped and received unemployment funds that allowed them to pay their rent and put food on the table.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Pensions make up a quarter of the Illinois state budget and growing. Illinois will eventually be unable to pay its pension obligations, which should scare a lot of people. This crisis is the result of decades of government mismanagement. Tough decisions must be made, and a long-term plan is needed to bring Illinois back on track. It would be foolhardy to trust the same legislators who created this mess with the responsibility of solving it, especially when their solutions are just more of the same.

Possible reforms include:

* A defined contribution rather than a defined benefit system for new state employees, as is the standard in the private sector.

* A cap on maximum pensionable salary.

* Adjusting benefit increases to align with true cost-of-living increases.

* Slightly adjusting the retirement age for those entering the workforce.

* Reducing state administrative bloat, including streamlining counties and tax zones.

* However, we must honor the commitment to retirees and current employees.

Illinois is facing a $6+ billion shortfall due to the COVID-19 lockdown, so we must open up the economy and schools – safely – to get our economic engine started again. Other states have shown that it is possible, and the CDC recently released data indicating that COVID-19 is significantly less dangerous to most of the population than previously thought. Tax increases will not cover the pension deficit, but will drive out more tax revenue, businesses, and jobs. Instead we must make Illinois more affordable and attractive to new businesses.

I do not support changing the Constitution to a graduated tax, in large part specifically because I do not believe middle class taxpayers can be protected from future tax hikes. There are many examples of our representatives, including Speaker Madigan, breaking promises, particularly about taxes. To name just two, in 1989 they passed a ‘temporary’ tax increase from 2.5% to 3% set to expire in 1991, but made permanent in 1993. In 2011 it was ‘temporarily’ increased from 3% to 4.95%, set to reduce in 2014, but made permanent in 2017. Considering the dire financial straits that Illinois is currently in, it is just not believable that these same current legislators in power will keep rates the same.

Moreover, Illinois has one of the highest overall tax burdens in the nation. The wealthy are already leaving, and taking their tax revenue and their businesses and jobs with them. Once they are gone the burden will shift to the middle class. There is a reason that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, ‘God forbid the rich leave’. Heavy taxes are well known to suffocate economic growth, and we cannot afford that at a time when our economy has already been ravaged by mismanagement and a draconian lockdown.

Raising taxes on the wealthy in an over-taxed state, when the rich can leave, is like asking the horse to work harder in Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. Eventually the horse dies.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

As with much of our nation there is a division in priorities. Some residents consider racial disparities to be the most important issue of the day. But the vast majority immediately cite high taxes, both income and property, as their greatest concern. This is quickly followed by concerns about the unfunded pensions, the budget in general, and/or corruption in the government. Of course, all of this is connected. Corruption has led to poor management of the economy, unfunded pensions, growing debt, and increased taxes to attempt to pay for these issues. An authoritarian lockdown, a stagnating economy, and lack of jobs has hit the minority populations of Illinois hardest, and a thriving economy would improve everybody’s lives and bring more equity of outcome. Without revenue Illinois can’t tackle other issues such as the environment or higher wages for teachers. It is time for adult decisions that do not ask over-taxed residents for more.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

It is difficult to decide on just two! Nothing can be done for a state without a properly functioning government and a thriving economy. We need to work on removing the corruption and waste that Illinois is known for. Term limits are one important part of that equation. As with one-party governments around the world, the party in power uses its influence and money to choose who the voters can elect rather than the other way around. When lawmakers see their positions as lifetime appointments, they make different laws than if they are subject to them. We must also hold our government accountable for providing the most basic service they are sworn to: protecting peaceful civilians from violence and rioting. To stimulate the economy, we must safely open up, lower taxes, bring in new business and jobs, and address the pension liabilities. This would allow for the growth and money needed to address any of the other issues that our citizens care about.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

I have met with shocking numbers of residents who are leaving, and they invariably cite high taxes as the main cause. This is the clear issue, and it must be addressed. Raising taxes does not bring in more revenue, it drives people with means away and leaves the state with fewer of the people who pay the majority of taxes. Instead the economy must be stimulated. Lower taxes and easing of regulations on businesses will bring in more jobs, which will raise wealth and tax revenue. This has been shown in other states. In general, the government should get out of the way of people who want to live their lives as much as possible. I have great faith in the people of Illinois. Any solutions offered by our current government and the incumbents who have been in power are not believable, because if they had the solutions they would have changed things years ago already. It is time for new management. Term limits and fair maps will go a long way to changing the management for the better, whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Speaker Michael Madigan has been in the General Assembly since 1971, and speaker of the House since 1983. A great deal of the problems that Illinois faces can be laid at his feet, as well as the party he controls so tightly.

If Speaker Madigan is convicted of any crime relating to this investigation, he should immediately resign. In general, it is also past time for him to give the reins over to other citizens of Illinois. We should be governed by ‘We the People’, not by a permanent elite aristocracy, regardless of party.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Term limits. Enough said.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

A governor’s job in the face of an unknown pandemic is not easy, and we must allow for mistakes, but Governor Pritzker had many failures of leadership. Lockdown measures were intended to ‘flatten the curve’, and thankfully succeeded. But our economy was crushed and people’s lives destroyed. The policies on ‘essential’ workers appear arbitrary and unfair. Big companies like Walmart and Target were favored to stay open while small businesses were closed and decimated. Riots are allowed, but attending church was not. Deaths from overdose and suicide skyrocketed, and many consider the lockdown worse than the virus. The CDC recently released data for COVID-19 that indicate survival rates of 99.5% and higher for those under 70, and 99.997% for under 20. Governor Pritzker’s refusal to work with the federal government at a time when we must put aside our differences was poor leadership. He gave millions of dollars to China for masks that predictably failed standards. The IDES system did not run appropriately and in a timely manner for too long. Deaths of people with COVID are counted as due to the virus regardless of actual cause of death – that is not science! Finally, Governor Pritzker violated his own Stay-at-Home order when he traveled to his farm in Wisconsin while barring travel for the rest of us. He sent Illinois construction workers over the border to his property while prohibiting other Illinoisans from working. Such a double standard is the mark of a despot with special privileges, not a leader.

19th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Illinois was in a difficult fiscal place before the pandemic and we have lived through six months of plummeting revenue with an unknown floor. The absence of sufficient local and state government relief has rocked local governments across the country. We must prioritize paying down our debt and making our pension payments, while looking to a tool box of progressive revenue to incrementally inch towards fiscal stability. Although a graduated state income tax will not solve our problems, it will be an important step to provide revenue, relief to many, and an incrementally higher tax for the wealthy on par with other states.

Although the pandemic brought barriers to implementation and slowed down needed legislation, I was proud to vote yes on a new tax structure for a Chicago casino. Once built and thoughtfully located, this becomes one small step towards stability. Similar to my calls before the pandemic, we need to get a real estate transfer tax in the City of Chicago and robustly expand our growing cannabis industry. The pandemic slowed down our burgeoning cannabis industry, but sales have grown and there is revenue potential as the industry expands to “craft grow” and hospitality industry collaborations. Given the impact of the pandemic, now is the time to look hard again at local government and school district consolidation.

Yes, I support moving Illinois from a flat state income tax to a graduated tax. If we want to have a shot at addressing Illinois’ financial crisis without overburdening middle class and working families with more taxes, then we need to make sure everyone in Illinois is paying their fair share. A graduated state income tax brings Illinois inline with many other states and is an important tool in the toolbox to stabilize our state’s finances without further burdening the middle class. Although opponents rail against this structural change and raise fears that lawmakers in Springfield will soon be raising income tax rates on middle class families and small businesses, the reality is that lawmakers have that freedom today and very seldom raise the state income tax

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

The number one issue I hear about from constituents of the 19th District is the property tax burden, with ethics reform and healthcare accessibility and affordability also high on the list of concerns.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Once back in Springfield, two top priorities will be reducing the property tax burden and passing meaningful ethics reform. On the former, we need to ensure our property taxes are fair and equitable and we can start to do this through the data modernization bill led by the Cook County Assessor’s Office which is now known as HB4947 (previously SB1379). This bill allows for the Cook County Tax Assessor to use income and expense data to be considered in their assessments of income producing properties for more transparency and accuracy. Additionally, because we fund K-12 education through local property taxes (i.e., property taxes comprise 63% of all K-12 revenue while state sources cover only 24%) the state must increase its investment in K-12 education in order to alleviate pressure to increase property taxes. On the latter, I am proud to be working with a group of Representatives and Senators to advocate for nine ethics reform proposals. Specifically, we are advocating for the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to consider these in their recommendations for them to be considered in the fall veto session. The package includes legislative leadership term limits, truly independent legislative inspector general who can initiate investigations without legislative approval and a slow down of the legislator-lobbyist revolving door with at least a one-year prohibition on state legislators becoming Statehouse lobbyists.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

People in the 19th district and across the state feel that they are giving a lot to live in Chicago and Illinois and not getting a lot back in return. In sum, a lack of affordability and a lack of essential services affects our middle-class the most – those who struggle but can manage to look for better opportunities in other states. Moving to a fair graduated income tax system is a significant step, along with stabilizing property taxes as outlined above. We must ensure basic essential services in Illinois, including high quality public schools (K-12 and higher education) community safety. Currently, the quality of K-12 public education is unequitable, in large part due to a lack of state investment and the resultant reliance on property taxes to fund the system. Illinois has cut funding for public higher education by almost half over the past twenty years, pushing many students out of state for better deals. A lack of community safety has forced some families to leave Illinois and discouraged others from moving to the Chicago-area. Although in the longer term crime is down overall, areas of concentrated poverty experience outsized crime rates with a spike in gun violence this summer. We need a multi-faceted approach to reducing violence including supporting our law enforcement to intercept illegal guns; building trust between the police and communities and police reform progress; community investment; and evidence-based violence interventions like street and hospital intervention, along with job training and cognitive behavioral therapy for those at most risk of victimization or perpetrating violence.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

I have taken a public stance on this. Several weeks ago, the Speaker asked me directly and I answered directly that I think he should resign. At the end of the day, I think it’s the right and good thing to do for the Democratic Party, our values, and all the policies we’re fighting for, including the Fair Tax.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I am proud to be working with a group of Representatives and Senators to advocate for nine ethics reform proposals of which one priority for me is a truly independent legislative inspector general who can initiate investigations without legislative approval. The recurring instances of corruption on both the city and state level stain our state’s reputation and keep many well intentioned and thoughtful people away from our government and politics. Empowering our inspector generals through appropriate appointment processes, appropriate office hiring processes and adequate budgets is necessary and will accelerate independence which is critical to help us end corruption and restore trust that legislators are working for the public good. More specifically, the legislature (or any body that any IG is responsible for investigating) should not be the sole entity involved in selecting and appointing the LIG. Other changes include ending the approval of legislative leaders for LIG staff hiring, an adequate budgetary floor for the office, and changing the process to begin an investigation (currently subject to approval by legislators who sit on the Commission).

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Our Governor has led Illinois through a never-anticipated global pandemic with humanity and strength with every hard and politically unpopular decision made. I give Governor Pritzker and his team an A – for continuing to lead through a protracted crisis with still no end date. As we enter month six of our health and economic crisis, hindsight shows us how hard decisions kept us safer and alive. Steadfast communication direct to the public through daily briefings in the earlier months provided for consistency and transparency that put many at ease, even when hearing difficult news. His team took proactive steps to quickly build the capacity of our healthcare and human service system. As a former social worker acutely aware of the potential for red tape and bureaucracy to harm people, I am most impressed with the work and flexibility of the Department of Human Services to administer basic food and housing supports. DHS immediately increased support to homeless service providers and rapidly provided maximum food stamp benefits to anyone who was eligible for the program, providing for a safety net we often lack in America. I hope this experience teaches us that state government, although historically bulky and bureaucratic, can and must take care of people in short order in times of immediate and ongoing crisis. Pritzker’s areas for improvement include better communication with legislators on the true difficulties of the Illinois Department of Employment Security and more transparency about goals for release, decision making, and testing capacity within the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Illinois has had 6 straight years of declining population and has led the nation in decline in more than one of those years. As tax payers flee the state the issue is magnified. We must reverse the policies that are killing our Golden Goose.

“Toll Free by 73” – was a promise that was made by IL lawmakers in 1953 that our toll roads would be paid for by 1973 and we would no longer have to pay tolls. The tolls then were 25 cents. Today they are not free but instead very much higher – along with every other tax and fee in the state. If you believe that there is any chance at all that middle class taxpayers will not pay more in the future if you open the door to hikes, then there is a bridge in Brooklyn these dishonest politicians promoting this lie would like to sell you as well. This proposal is likely the single worst proposal in the history of IL politics. IL already leads the nation in population decline with 6 straight years of declining population. This proposal would put the state into an immediate fiscal death spiral as high income individuals who already pay the most into our tax system flee the state to lower tax states leaving the state’s bills to be paid by the rest of us who can’t so easily flee. (Like a certain billionaire governor who went and spent the summer in his Wisconsin lake mansion after making the environment in his own state inhospitable.)

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

The two biggest issues I hear about locally in my district are vacant store fronts and increasing crime. We have enacted policies in this state that make it one of the least friendly states for small business owners and then we wonder why the store fronts are all vacant? I would make it a priority to slash the regulations, fees, and taxes that make it difficult for small businesses to survive or even want to open in the first place in this state. My other priority is making Illinoisans safer. I was born and raised in the 19th district and when I was a kid our front door was never locked. Back then we actually held criminals responsible for the crimes they committed unlike today where legislators like my opponent believe that criminals are the “victims” and work to free them with lower bail and reduced sentencing to commit more crimes against honest taxpaying citizens.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Before my career in law enforcement began I worked at a Bank in Hinsdale IL. Over the course of few weeks one summer (2005 I believe) several doctors came in to close their accounts – they were all leaving the state due to the high cost of medical malpractice insurance in this state. Some were moving to Indiana where the costs are much lower. As I mentioned earlier, one of the complaints I hear most often is in regards to the vacant store fronts in my district – when businesses leave or close – jobs are also lost. Not only are high income individuals leaving, but so are workers who used to work in those mom and pop storefronts that are no longer there. The best way to keep these businesses and workers from leaving is to reverse the policies that have made it hard to for IL to compete with other states for their business. When Boeing relocated from Seattle to IL, they were enticed to come with a $35 million state tax credit. If lower taxes bring businesses to the state, then maybe it should be common sense that higher taxes and other costs of doing business are what is driving them out. We must work to reduce the costs of doing business in this state to keep residents (workers) and businesses from leaving.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Until he is found guilty of a crime and removed lawfully, it is up to the voters of the state to express their will democratically. The speaker of the house is democratically elected to the position by the rest of the State Representatives. My opponent voted for Madigan as speaker of the house in the last house speaker election.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Elimination of no-bid contracts and general reduction of spending – I believe the bigger the government, the more the chance for corruption. The number one way to reduce this type of corruption is to reduce the role of government in choosing winners and losers with tax-payer money. I would eliminate no-bid contracts paid for by state funds and streamline and make public the bidding process for all bid contracts funded by state money.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Absolutely awful – his overbearing unconstitutional emergency orders have ruined more financial lives than the pandemic alone would have while at the same time violating the constitutional rights of individuals. His top medical official Dr. Ngozi Ezike has explained that anyone who has tested positive for COVID at the time of death is counted in the official COVID statistics, regardless of whether or not COVID was the actual cause of death. The COVID death statistics are intentionally artificially inflated in this manner to scare citizens into giving up their freedoms and to agreeing to expand voting by mail in a state already notorious for voter fraud – while the disease itself has proven to be less deadly than the flu for those who are young and healthy. When first amendment protected activities such as worshiping in church are classified “non-essential” and shut down while liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries are classified as “essential” and allowed to remain open, when law abiding citizens are unconstitutionally required to wear masks to transact businesses and criminals are released from prison because masks won’t protect them, when law abiding citizens are not allowed to walk a lakefront but violent rioters are encouraged to “protest” in downtown streets a short distance away, when mom and pop businesses are closed down while large corporate chains are allowed to remain open – it is not that difficult to see that despicable leftist politics are driving the decision making and science has nothing to do with it.

20th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Illinois’ history of fiscal mismanagement and underfunding pensions has left us and our children with a great burden. Getting it under control and ensuring those who have earned their benefits actually receive their benefits will take a comprehensive approach. We must ensure businesses have the tools they need to reopen and can grow and recover from this pandemic so they can re-employ workers and pay higher wages so our residents can support their families. This will stabilize our state’s revenue streams, so we can properly fund pensions and other essential governmental functions. I am one of the few legislators who has a track record of directly bringing jobs and businesses to a community. This experience will be more vital now than ever. Further, the state must look hard at areas where our budget can find efficiencies and remove waste while still maintaining essential services to the taxpayers. We also need a legitimate and legal solution to help future generations with our massive unfunded pension liability and tragic fiscal situation.

If the proposal is approved by the voters this November, I will fight vigorously against any attempts to raise taxes on the middle class or our seniors. I am disappointed that proposed safeguards to ensure these groups would not be subject to higher taxes by future General Assemblies were rejected. If the proposal is passed, the legislature must enact these safeguards to protect our already overtaxed middle class and seniors. Families and businesses are struggling now more than ever due to the pandemic, we need policies to reinvigorate the economy and create jobs more than higher taxes.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

In light of spikes in crime and scenes of looting across the city, public safety and protecting our neighborhoods is priority one. We must ensure our law enforcement have the tools and resources they need to protect themselves and our communities. The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated our economy, impacting everyone in every industry. We need to help businesses put people back to work. I am concerned the state has not done enough for small and medium sized businesses. The state should also further invest in workforce training to ensure we can come out of this pandemic stronger than before. Additionally, our working families and seniors need real property tax relief now more than ever.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

In addition to the above we must focus on healthcare. Mental health and the opioid epidemic must be adequately addressed and funded. We need to be sure our residents have affordable and accessible access to mental health care, particularly for our first responders. The opioid epidemic impacts people from all ages and walks of life, and also is one of the top drivers of gun violence. Proper, comprehensive ethics reform has been needed for years and after the allegations of bribery regarding Speaker Madigan and ComEd, the legislature must act. We must begin the process of restoring trust in Illinois government. Lastly, we must seriously address the massive backlog of unpaid bills and unfunded pension liability. If the state continues to ignore the realities of our fiscal situation, our children and grandchildren will suffer a future of untenable tax burdens and inadequate state services.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

The above responses regarding our residents’ top priorities are major factors driving people and businesses out of Illinois. Property taxes continue to be a top complaint of our residents, especially for working families and seniors. We must provide relief for taxpayers while ensuring that local government bodies can still provide needed services. Further, Illinois has a serious problem of keeping our high school and college graduates in state. We must work to make our colleges and universities affordable and attractive to our students, and make Illinois a prosperous and safe place with a functional government where our students can see a future for themselves after they graduate.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Speaker Madigan should resign from the House and his role as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois . In fact when news of this story broke, I was one of the first legislators to contact our caucus leadership to take action and call for the Speaker’s resignation. I also am a co-sponsor of HR0885 which calls for the removal of Speaker Madigan. These recent allegations of bribery are yet another example in a long line of troubling accounts of illegality and unethical behavior by Speaker Madigan and his inner circle. We must begin the process of restoring faith in Illinois government, and that must start with Speaker Madigan’s removal. In comparison, my opponent was recruited by the Speaker, and funded by his organization and allies; her silence on this matter speaks volumes.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I support strong, comprehensive ethics reform. We must end the revolving door of state office holders and senior staff from lobbying as well as provide tougher penalties for violations. Unfortunately ethics reform has constantly stalled or been diluted and then paraded as achievement by Speaker Madigan.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I would grade it a C. I was initially very supportive of the Governor’s response to Covid-19 and applauded him for moving decisively in an incredibly uncertain and unprecedented time. That said, as time went on, I was frustrated with some inconsistencies in the reopening plan which created confusion and uncertainty over our path forward. Additionally, the lack of organization and responsiveness from IDES has been unacceptable. Our district has been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic due to the high number of restaurant, hospitality, and gig economy workers. In late March, I held a teletownhall for our residents with staff from IDES to help provide information on unemployment assistance and other services. Five months later my offices still receive calls and emails daily from constituents who are unable to get their deserved benefits or even a response from IDES. This is wholly unacceptable.

35th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Yes, the pension system is completely out of whack. Illinois law makers need to stop wasteful spending and making promises they can not keep. They must create a new pension system for all new future hires.

I do not believe in the progressive tax. It is blank check for Illinois. Any progressive tax will not protect the middle class, because that will not stop the spending. Remember the Lottery

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

The top priority for lawmakers should be to stop the violence, Let the police do their job, in order to bring back safety to our neighborhoods, cities and towns.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

I would do what the people want; safety and security and to stop the socialist agenda.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

We must stop the violence and destruction. Rather than the restrictions on businesses, we must offer incentives. No progressive tax, lower business taxes and quit making false promises. The problem with the politicians of Illinois is that they predict the future but never plan for it.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

I am no fan of Michael Madigan, but he is still promised due process by law. He should be able to hold his position as State Representative because he was elected by the people. He should however step down as House Speaker until completion of investigation.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Legislators have taken the Constitutional oath and must legislate accordingly. There should be accountability for all actions. They took an oath of office…follow it.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Priztker gets an “F” for the way he handled (and is handling) the pandemic. He made it totally political. Jobs and businesses were lost due to his decisions. Business owners should be allowed to make their own decisions on how to deal with the Covid19 virus, in relation to establishment. This is not a dictatorship. If you can open liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries; then adults should be able to make their own decisions, on where to eat, drink and shop if they wish.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

I have supported sensible pension reform throughout my career, including legislation to curb the pension benefits of legislators. However, as we have learned from multiple court decisions, a pension is a promise that can not be impaired or diminished according to the Illinois Constitution. Any pension fix has to start from this point forward. The General Assembly and other entities have worked towards a pension fix by creating a Tier Two pension system and even a hybrid system of defined benefits and contributions.

I believe many of our taxing systems are unfair to working class families. The “Fair Tax” proposal will ensure state income taxes would be reduced or stay the same for 97 percent of the states population while generating additional revenue for the state. I voted to put the SJRAC1 on the ballot so the voters could decide. Should voters approve the amendment, the new revenues it generates can be used to retire the state’s pension debt.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

I have three constituent services offices in my district because being accessible to the people I represent is my top priority. I host extended office hours, remote service hours at libraries and other public buildings, and I hold monthly “Coffee and Conversation” events at coffee shops throughout my district. I mostly hear about issues and concerns that don’t generate media headlines. Much of the legislation I have introduced has been brought to me by constituents during these outreach efforts. HB 3897, which came from a discussion with a neighbor who has a son with special needs is an example of this. Briefly, the bill would allow students with special needs, finish the school year with their class, instead of “aging-out” and being dropped from a program in the middle of the school year the day they turn 22 years old. The state’s First Responder Suicide Prevention Task Force which I chair (and corresponding legislation to protect the confidentiality of peer support groups) came about from talking with police officers and fire personnel in my district who shared their struggles with job-related mental health problems. A bill I sponsored requiring domestic violence awareness training for licensed beauticians came from a conversation with a hairdresser in my neighborhood who didn’t know how to help clients who complained to her about violence in their homes. I think my constituents top priority for lawmakers in Springfield is to listen to their concerns related to every day problems and help them receive a resolution.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Pass HB 3897 (mentioned above) and conclude the First Responder Suicide Prevention Task Force with recommendations to the General Assembly that will address and increase mental health education and accessibility to mental health for our first responders.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Illinois is a beautiful state that has a lot to offer businesses and residents. Springfield needs to do better job ensuring our population is trained for jobs where there are currently workforce shortages as well as careers in the new economy. Healthcare and transportation/logistics jobs are currently going unfilled in our region. We need to ensure our education system, particularly at the community college level, is focused on training for these fields. We also need to do a better job keeping college students in the state. Programs like the AIM High Scholarship should be expanded to make our public universities more affordable for middle class students. This program is already working as this fall almost every state university reported an increase in enrollment for the first time in decades, despite the COVID pandemic.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Michael Madigan has not been charged and has not been directly implicated for engaging in illegal activity. Should that occur, he should step down as speaker.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

There is an ethics reform package currently being vetted with a number of good proposals I look forward to supporting, like increased lobbying restrictions. I have also introduced an ethics bill that prohibits a sitting member of the General Assembly’s spouse from being appointed to a paying state board position. Illinoisans need to feel that their government is working for them, not the relatives of politicians.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

The governor and his staff deserve praise for leveling with the people of Illinois and keeping us informed, particularly with their daily briefings during the first few months of the crisis. There are few policy decisions he’s made that I have disagreed with, but I have no doubt that Governor Pritzker’s prompt and decisive actions during the pandemic have saved lives in Illinois. He has aggressively taken on the virus with a science-based approach. If I had any constructive criticism it would be directed at the way the administration has communicated with legislators and municipal leaders. His regular telephone briefing for elected official have stopped which has created some communication gaps with mayors and other elected local officials. That has led to questions and some confusion about changes to various COVID related procedures and proposals. But on balance, the governor has worked well under difficult circumstances.

37th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Prior to COVID-19, Illinois had already begun greatly reducing our liabilities by refinancing our obligations. Unfortunately, the pandemic has impacted everything, including our state liabilities. Passing the Fair Tax is critical to bringing in much-needed revenue, while simultaneously reducing taxes for the vast majority of residents. Additionally, we should continue to explore refinancing and consolidation options like the recently passed fire and police pension consolidation bill.

I support the Fair Tax, which will alleviate income and property taxes for 97% of Illinois families. Illinois is one of only 9 states that still has a flat tax. This regressive tax structure has led to underfunding for healthcare, education, and community services, forcing lower and middle class families to pay a greater overall percentage of their income than wealthier residents. The Fair Tax aims to fix that issue by asking those at the very top to pay their fair share so that we can get our state back on track to fiscal stability and a balanced budget, with well-funded community services. In fact, by passing the Fair Tax, middle class families can be better assured that there will not be future tax hikes because the legislation will lead to a more stable financial future for Illinois, preventing the need to find revenue from additional tax hikes across the board.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Our district has grown from a rural community to a bustling suburban area. Transportation issues such as overcrowded roads, safety, and crumbling infrastructure are big concerns. I want to continue the work started by the capital bill and work with local governments to alleviate the strain on our roads, and improve the infrastructure quality for residents. Additionally, there are growing concerns in the community related to health care access and affordability, from the availability of mental health care centers, disability support services, drug addiction treatment, and prescription drug affordability. I will work with local and county officials and community stakeholders to address these gaps in our local services and look for ways to make these affordable and accessible to anyone who needs them.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

My top two priorities if elected are: 1) Instituting some of the strongest ethics reform laws in the country to end the corruption and influence of private and corporate interests in state politics, and 2) Expanding access to affordable health care options.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

I believe the first and most important step we can take as a state is to bring financial stability, and make the proper investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and community services. We also need to support small businesses, especially during the Coronavirus, and encourage a wider range of competition. Additionally, investing in technical education will strengthen our skilled labor force and attract businesses with quality jobs. Passing the Fair Tax will help pay down our liabilities and bring in revenue to properly invest in the community, resulting in Illinois becoming a more desirable place to live and grow.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

The allegations that have been brought forward are disturbing and not becoming of any elected official in government, and I believe that any public official convicted needs to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. What is clear is that Springfield needs to change, and this is bigger than any one person. We need stronger ethics laws in Springfield now.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

This year we have seen efforts to bring change and transparency with the Lobbyist Registration Act, but this does not go far enough. We can start with empowering the Inspector General to have more independence when investigating cases of corruption. I also want to see a minimum two-year cooling off period before legislators can become lobbyists, so that we know our officials are there to serve us now and not to enrich themselves. Additionally, we need legislation that requires any elected official convicted of a corruption crime to pay back every penny taken from the taxpayers. Finally, we need to crack down on shadow lobbying to create a more transparent and accountable state government.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

The pandemic has created immense challenges for the world, and our state is no exception. I believe Governor Prtizker has met these challenges well and is doing everything he can to keep our citizens safe and ensure that our economy opens up safely. Illinois’ numbers and positivity rating are among the best in the country under his leadership, especially compared to our neighboring states in the midwest. For both transparency and results, I would give the governor positive marks on his work so far. Going forward, the tougher we are on COVID-19, the faster we can return to normal. I would recommend to the governor to keep his steadfast focus on transparency so that our residents know what actions he is taking to keep us and our loved ones safe, but also to continue consulting with local leaders and stakeholders to deliver the soundest policies possible.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

We must honor all pensions promised thus far; the unfunded pension liabilities are Illinois legislators’ fault, not their recipients.

However, moving forward, we must seriously assess and execute a new plan for future workers and their pensions. We cannot pension spike. We cannot promise pensions our state cannot fulfill. Instead, we must explore options more soluble states and the private sector use and choose a system best structured for Illinois’ workers for years to come. Some states have used a defined contribution structure. Others take an average of salaries throughout one’s career to find an affordable and well-suited pension for workers.

I 100% oppose this idea. The middle-class taxpayers will take the brunt of this tax-burden as they do with all other taxes imposed thus far. The graduated tax opens the door for retirement tax. The democrat super-majority asks us, taxpayers, to trust they will do right by us; if history tells us anything, it is precisely the opposite. Illinois has proven to be the worst state in the union to trust their legislators will do right by the taxpayer.

Additionally, the tax will only punish small businesses. Governor Pritzker may not realize (or care) about the mass-exodus taking place for the better part of a decade. We have been shrinking our tax base and increasing our tax rate. If this were to pass, I could only assume JB Pritzker and Mike Madigan want Illinois and their residents to fail as a state.

Rather than run business owners and the wealthy out of our state and tax base, we must implement policies attractive enough to reverse this exodus’ trend and maximize Illinois’ potential.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

I have walked 5,000 doors (voters on all parts of the political spectrum) to date; taxes are easily the most concerning issue for Illinois residents. Many are sick of the corruption, irresponsible spending, and businesses leaving; however, there is no conversation I’ve had without the mention of overburdensome taxes.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

My first priority is bringing fiscal responsibility to Springfield. We must treat our state’s finances as we would our homes; we cannot get the big-screen tv before paying the mortgage. Once we pay the mortgage, we have to fix the leaky roof—then we can talk about the idea of a big-screen tv. My second priority will be to resurrect our business climate and get Illinois back to work. A healthy business climate will encourage people to move to Illinois rather than leave. I want to grow our tax base, not our tax rate.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Real property tax relief is the best place to start. Of all the burdensome taxes, the voters at the door say property taxes are the worst. They see opportunities in other states to make the same or more than their current jobs with fewer taxes. It is hard to incentivize residents to stay in Illinois when some of their tax bills are more than their mortgages. The exodus recipe is not a hard one to crack; money is the bottom line, and Illinois residents do not see a return from their tax dollars. When our residents leave, it means good employees are leaving businesses. Illinois businesses start at a disadvantage because the most talented candidates do not want to move or stay in a failing state. Thus, our businesses are not maximizing their returns. Businesses are tired of government regulating and stifling their operations. When Illinois raised the minimum wage to $15/hour, it only increased business costs; it did not increase operating budgets. Illinois is making our business climate less friendly each year. Increased regulations have been steadily moving us from a free-market to a government commanded market. All it takes is a quick history lesson to point out these government impositions fail every time. I will advocate for free-market policies in the 37th district and beyond. I want every business owner in Illinois to have the opportunity to fail or succeed on their own merits, rather than government intervention.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Although Madigan has yet to be charged with anything, he should have stepped down weeks ago. Madigan and his special interest allies have taken advantage of the people of Illinois and the 37th District. We must take action and demand Speaker Michael Madigan’s resignation.

Illinois is one of the highest taxed states in the country. Illinois also has lost residents annually for five years. Madigan’s special interest legislation has suffocated Illinois for 40 years resulting in the mismanagement of Illinois’ budget, funds, and economic growth. Now, more than ever, Illinois must be able to hold the government, its officials, lobbyists, and special interest groups accountable.

If performance were a factor, he would never have made it past his first term. His self-serving agenda grew old before I was born. I have hoped the Democrat super-majority would have the courage to stand up to him. Still, they clearly lack courage, initiative, and authentic leadership.

Unlike the Speaker, I support term-limits and promise to term-limit myself to three terms. Serving our community should be a temporary public service, not a career.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Term-limits. What’s my case? Michael Madigan.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I give Governor JB Pritzker a failing grade. Governor Pritzker has moved the goalposts on restrictions and requirements for all working-class individuals in the state. He condemned our elderly to a death sentence, keeping them locked down in COVID incubators, and was fine with Illinois’ economy going even further in the gutter. His only solution (it isn’t one) is a federal bailout. All the while, Pritzker has directed $55 million towards his efforts to pass a progressive tax that will hurt small businesses and working families even more. The COVID regions implemented by Governor Pritzker across the state were short-sided and indicative of his familiarity with Illinois outside of Chicago.

38th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

As a freshman legislator, completing the 2nd year of my first term, I have quickly learned just how much legislation is filed, moved out of committee, brought to the floor, amended, re-assigned to committee, as so on. That may speak to, in part, to the absence of any effective progress on pension reform. There has been, for a few years, a proposal to re-amortize our pension debt. This re-amortization plan could save the state $45 billion and move the state pension system to 70% funded by 2045. Specifically, legislators must have the political will to make some hard choices in order to address the tangled web of pension debt; however a positive step in the right direction is amortization.

I support the proposed graduated income tax. I believe, as well as other tax experts that this will create a fairer tax system, but more importantly, the General Assembly has voted to give citizens the opportunity to vote whether they believe that a Graduated Income Tax will be a more equitable taxation system, as over 30 other states have determined. Under the proposed Illinois Graduated tax, residents and small businesses with income less that $250,000 will not have an increase in their income tax. Fair Tax would reduce taxes on incomes less than $100,000. Only persons and businesses with incomes above $250,000 will see an increase. I believe that legislators also have to take responsibility to address pension reform, property tax reform and reduction on spending. I don’t believe you can, singularly, cut your way out of a deficit, but you certainly can be more responsible.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

In the 38th District, my constituents are most concerned about Property Tax Reform and Economic Development.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

As a resident of the 38th District for over 30 years, my top two priorities are almost exactly the same as my constituents. Property Tax Reform, Educational Funding and Economic Development. Over the past 30 years, there has been an outrageous increase in property taxes, where 75% of our tax dollars go to educational funding, so it is a must to address school funding. Additionally, in the south suburbs, we have been overlooked, red-lined and neglected when it comes to economic development. This tendency to be overlooked by corporate America has a lot to do with high property taxes. So when you connect the dots, our top priorities are all interconnected.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

I believe in providing information to the residents of my District as well as to the business community. I have worked with the local Mayors in my District to ensure full support of State incentives and grant programs to attract corporate giants like Amazon and other logistical and manufacturing firms to locate in the District and to create over 2000 jobs for residents in the Southland. When there are programs or strategies to mitigate the high cost of property taxes, for example, I make sure that the full scope of exemptions are known and applied for by homeowners; For the perceived cost of high income taxes, providing residents the ability to vote on the opportunity of a Graduated Income Tax System for Illinois; To make college more affordable, incentivize Illinois students to attend Illinois Universities; Make Illinois a more business friendly state by encouraging entrepreneurial ventures and supporting local chambers of commerce. Finally, requiring that the state live up to it’s Constitutional responsibility to fund education more effectively. We have made a start by now legislating Evidence Based Funding. We must do more in our effort to improve education in our state.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

As a Pre-Law and Criminal Justice Major, and a freshman legislator in the final year of my first two year term, I believe in the Justice System that states a person is innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, I would like to wait before I make any such declaration, until the investigation is concluded and/or the courts decide the innocence or guilt of Mr. Michael Madigan.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

The General Assembly needs to reinforce its moral compass. I believe that most legislators are only trying to be the strong voice and best representative that they can be for the residents of their District. That being said, the one ethics reform that would make a difference in keeping elected officials more accountable is Strengthening the office of the legislative inspector general, including allowing the office to initiate its own investigations. If there is impartial and objective over site through the legislative inspector general’s office, I believe there would be added clarity to the ethics rules and more accountability established for those few legislators that need to know that there is an effective process in place to monitor their actions.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I believe that Governor Pritzker has done a stellar job in managing the coronavirus pandemic here in Illinois. He has listened to the Science and Medical community’s advice on the guidelines to direct our strategies related to the Stay at Home Order and then the gradual re-opening guidelines designed to keep our citizens safe. I believe his plan was successful because Illinois has not seen the spike in cases that other states have experienced; however the initial response by the IDES to the unemployment challenges was initially understandable due to the unprecedented numbers of claimants, but as time went on, the response remained tepid and quite irritating to recognize that there was not a better methodology for troubleshooting the IDES challenges. I believe that after a certain period of time, the state should have been more proactive in addressing the weaknesses in the IDES system and more cognizant of those weaknesses early on. I would give the Governor an A-

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Pension reform with an amendment to the Illinois Constitution is the answer. This is one of the top three reasons why I am seeking a legislative seat. Illinois cannot continue down the path of unfunded pension liabilities. And raising taxes is not the answer.

No, I do not support the idea of a graduated tax or “progressive tax” or “fair tax” for Illinois’ taxpayers. I support keeping our flat tax flat. And no, I do not believe that middle class taxpayers can or will be protected from tax hikes. Neither do I or will I support taxation on retirement income.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

I have personally walked and knocked on thousands of doors in my District. The issue of top priority that I hear most is their rising property taxes and declining property values, with nothing to show for the tax hikes. They all say lawmakers in Springfield have made promises after promises, but have failed to do anything about this issue. Those that have managed to pay off their mortgages still stand the risk of losing their property to property taxes. This is not right.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Property Tax Reform Pension Reform

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Property tax relief. Consolidation of school districts and other taxing bodies. School choice. Tax cuts, deregulation, and other incentives to foster business growth and job creation.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

No, Madigan should not remain in any of his positions in state government. In fact, he should have resigned long ago. At the very least, he should not be Speaker. Madigan is exactly what is wrong with the Democrat-led-and-controlled Illinois State Legislature. The stories of actual or apparent scandals, corruption, improprieties that have plagued his leadership have been ignored for too long. I support ethics reform and term limits.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I would like to see more disclosures and restrictions regarding legislator-lobbyist activities; and term limits for leadership positions in the legislature.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I was very concerned by the Governor’s initial blamist, alarmist, pessimist reactions to the coronavirus pandemic. He appeared to be more focused on the politics of the pandemic than the solution at a time when people needed calm and reassurance. His unenforceable executive order made things worse for a lot of people and businesses. I’ll advice him to push for solutions instead of elevating the fear of the problem.

49th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

We need real pension reform and we need it NOW. We need an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that will preserve state retirement benefits already earned by public employees, but would allowr reforms to the program going forward for current or future employees. Additionally, we need to look at pushing back retirement age and smaller cost of living adjustments. Illinois currently has over 6,000 local units of government contributing to waste and bloated pension liabilities. We need to take a look at each one and gradually get rid of redundancy to reduce our unfunded liabilities.

I do not support the Progressive Tax. Springfield has shown they cannot be trusted with more taxpayer dollars as evidenced by the “temporary” tax increases they passed in 2011 and 2017. Taxpayers were told these increases would help pay down our pension debt, but three years later they are asking for a blank check to increase rates at will. Middle class taxpayers cannot be protected once the flood gates are open. Springfield doesnt need more money. We need reform and discipline.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

I have heard a consistent message from my district: Taxes are too high and people are fed up with the corruption and waste they see in Springfield. There is also a real fear as to the future of our state with the devastation caused by Covid resulting in closed businesses, unemployment, and closed schools. Taxpayers want relief from our 2nd highest property taxes in the nation, and end to the corruption, and true leadership and reform going forward.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Property tax reform and cleaning up the corruption in Springfield.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

In 2011 Illinois raised its income tax by 67% and made its corporate income tax the highest in the nation. Illinois workers compensation cost is among the highest in the nation. We need to reduce the tax burden on residents and businesses, and reduce burdensome regulations that slow down growth and opportunity. Additionally, we need to reject the Progressive Tax that will result in a greater tax burden for our residents and businesses who are already struggling under the weight of our system.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Michael Madigan should resign his position as Speaker and head of the Democrat Party. I will never vote for Speaker Madigan and will lead the efforts to remove him from office.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

We need to enact term limits in order to reduce the opportunity for corruption by our public officials.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

As this is a novel virus, every safety precaution should have been implemented in the beginning as we did not know what the effects of the virus would be, however Gov. Pritzker’s extended lockdown and extensions of his unlawful executive orders contributed to the destruction of our economy and decimated many of our small businesses and increased joblessness. Gov. Pritzker should have listened to legislators and instituted a regional approach earlier. Treating all communities across the state the same was a mistake. Additionally, the inability of IDES to handle the unemployment claims that resulted from the lockdown still has not been adequately addressed resulting in millions of residents unable to pay their bills. We need to open up our businesses and allow our residents to get back to work and provide for their families.

52nd District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

The only way to get the State of Illinois out of this pension crisis is to control the growth of future benefits and make those new benefits align with what taxpayers can afford to pay.

I find it interesting that the General Assembly is pushing a constitutional amendment regarding raising taxes. Those in favor of increasing this tax on businesses and families are doing this at a time when most can least afford it. They are acting like this can be done very easily. Yet, for years, the very same legislators decried that pensions could never be reformed and were constitutionally protected and guaranteed to remain the same.

Illinois needs to provide new financially sustainable benefits to new employees. These benefits should be fixed and defined at the time of accrual, and the accrual should not be back-loaded. We need to make all COLAs connected to the CPI, with a max out at 3%.

And we need to deal with the past debt before the rating agencies come out publicly and declare Illinois debt at junk status. Currently, Illinois is paying almost 4% higher interest costs than most stable rated government borrowers.

The Governor’s tax increase plan will substantially hurt small businesses and drive even more residents out of the State of Illinois. You cannot tax a state into prosperity. With the government shut down of many businesses in Illinois, state tax receipts will be hurt significantly. The state legislature has no plan for this. Many states like Indiana have decided to reduce state spending in anticipation of lower revenue. Illinois has not even given this any consideration. The promoters of the graduated tax promise lower taxes for 97% of Illinois taxpayers, but the tax rate decrease would only be .05%. And, the actual referendum question does not include any specific restrictions on the tax rate or how any group will be taxed. The legislature can decide at any time to increase taxes on any group of taxpayers without limitations, and there is no provision that the new revenue derived must go to pay for essential services only. Illinois taxpayers already pay the highest effective tax rate in the country, when factoring in income taxes property taxes and sales taxes. Passing this amendment would basically be allowing the legislature to write a blank check without being accountable for reining in out-of control spending. There is no protection to any class from future tax hikes.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

They are concerned about the severe impact on local businesses caused by the COVID-19 state-mandated shutdowns. They are extremely concerned about the corruption in Springfield. They want honest people representing them who have no personal interests or individual agenda. Residents and businesses in the 52nd District are exhausted by the local taxing authorities constantly increasing their requests for higher and higher levies while the state ignores the flight of businesses and families from the state due to this increased taxation.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Property tax relief. Helping small businesses recover from repercussions from COVID lockdown.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

We need to show voters that outsiders with business experience can promote their interests in Springfield. We can give a voice to those who disagree with the same old status quo. We must institute tax reform, business aid, pension reform and anti-corruption measures.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Speaker Madigan has served in the General Assembly for 49 years, and as Speaker for 35 years. That is far too long to allow that much power to be put in the hands of one person, especially considering the ComEd scandal. I would never support him as Speaker, and he should resign. Further, the next Speaker of the House should unwind many of the House rules that have been constructed to limit on the floor debate regarding legislation. Many great ideas are killed in committee and never brought forward for the public to evaluate. At this time, any legislation or Bill must receive the Speaker’s approval to see the light of day.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Term limits!

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I would give him a D+. He should have followed the same rules and regulations that he imposed upon the people of Illinois through his decrees. His changing criteria for COVID evaluation has been a problem all along. He has moved the goalposts several times for what constitutes and justifies his emergency decrees. Initially, hospitalizations, ICU beds, ventilators and mortality rates were significant criteria, now it has turned into infection positivity statistics only. When he lumped all of the 52nd District in with Cook County for his regions, he essentially shut down many businesses that could have operated safely during the pandemic. The Governor should have trusted families, businesses, churches and local communities to make the best decisions for themselves. With the country’s investors and bond rating agencies forcing Illinois debt issuance to be 4% higher than the top credit rated issuance in the market, it goes a long way to saying that investors considered Illinois debt already at “junk status” whether or not the governors office recognizes it as such. The legislature should have been involved in the decision making process, but the Governor chose to ignore input from members of the General Assembly, and instead rely on a behind-the-scenes decision making process.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Having unfunded pension liabilities essentially means that government workers should be receiving more in pension benefits than was set aside for them. This is their right as an employee and there are strong protections for benefits giving little prospect to reduction in the amount or contribution on behalf of an employee. The State has a constitutional duty to honor its promises to public servants, retirees and surviving spouses. That is a BIG problem, we treat people as disposable these days and the 401K plans came about because companies do not want to pay. We should have had it to a point where everyone had a pension and a union to back them. Funds should be guaranteed without risks.

Corruption and waste is part of the problem. I support the creation of a citizens’ auditing board, with investigative authority, to supplement the work of the auditor general. However, spending cuts targeting real waste and even major reductions in corruption cannot restore stability to our operational budget. The structural budget deficit is not caused by excessive spending, excessive state employment or overpaid public employees. It is fundamentally caused by a structural revenue problem.

They also should not be mixing pension funds with the general funds, just like they have been doing with the social security funds. It should also be taxed separate from the general fund.

I believe in the fair tax and have my reservations; they may try to hike up other taxes which, will make it difficult for working class families.The bill is flawed in certain ways – it does not include an exit tax or a tariff tax. In other words, an exit tax should be in place for a person or company that wants access to our market without paying into the fair tax system; they would have a tariff to protect our business and residents. That also removes the argument of causing people to leave the state and losing jobs.

The current problem with the tax system is that the wealthy have more of an ability to have write-offs in tax and, generally speaking, the middle class have a higher percentage to income ratio in payment of tax.

In the introduction of the fair tax, there needs to be shown where the taxes are going and how they plan to control spending. Perhaps if this tax is implemented, Illinoisans need to be shown where possible breaks in tax can be afforded. People already feel like tax in Illinois is high and it is the worst possible time for introduction. Constituents want relief in tax somehow, and it seems great at a certain level, but when you have the current Governor making statements admitting that there are no guarantees in future hikes is where people are legitimately concerned (Source ABC 7 interview April 23, 2019 Chicago). Also, couples that undergo divorce suffer the most financially and should have some form of relief when it comes to filing during the period it is getting court approval. Single parent families get hit the hardest. We need to be more accommodating of these scenarios too. Just because a family is married should not be a reason to increase tax either which is another proposal under this scheme.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Seventy five percent tell me that they do not trust the government. Twenty five per cent are content with the status quo. They want less corruption, lies and manipulation with transparency. I am here to build trust, to listen and to get to the work that is required. A lot of them were concerned about the plight of black people and the violence on the Southside which needs to be curbed. There are many stolen vehicles in the region and drug trading was also mentioned. For those reasons, law and order was a big issue for them and my platform is dictated by their needs.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

1. Empowerment of people by self sustainability – I feel that people need to be more self sufficient within their household environments when it comes to work set up and even to ability to school and have produce within the community instead of relying heavily on the external. COVID-19 should be a big wake up call when it comes to this. We need to be operating on an “abundancy mindset” and to get there need to realize that America has more than enough land to support even the giving of an acre to each family. 60% of all land is unaccounted for so we, as citizens, want to know what the use of that is. We could end homelessness, empower people and ease debt without inflation with just that land alone. The right to life is a constitutional right. An “abundancy mindset” can be adopted in school curriculums, by letting children work on their gifts and talents but also introducing ways in which they are able to handle and control finances from early on. “Abundancy” in health starts by healthy eating. I believe that Americans can provide healthcare for all in an “abundancy mindset” and it would be more cost effective. 2. Law and Order – ending violence and crime – there is a need for people to feel safe. At the end of the day, crime and its trends are similar across the board. We can find that balance between community needs and not feeling like a totalitarian approach is at play.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Lower taxes and a better job economy and fixing the situation when it comes to law and order. A lot of youth tend to prefer to work downtown and study there and their parents have expressed concerns that they have for their children.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

I feel it would be dignified for him to resign and to take a break from politics. Illinois needs a fresh start and that would be a step in the right direction. I am all about checks on power and control. It is tragic that corporate money funds a lot of policy. We need greater representation of the people and, unfortunately, people feel his time is up. He has served for more than enough time in Springfield as it is. It would, perhaps, give him more respect in people’s eyes if he decided to step down and away.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Let’s talk about ethics reform when it comes to the way we conduct elections. We need real ethics, we have representation of real elites who buy attention and votes. Illinois politicians continue to receive corporate contributions and this includes judge candidates who receive money from law firms. This needs to stop, as the legislature and judiciary get swayed by those contributions. Taking corporate money out is reform and the ethical thing to do. This would also lend to having more choices on the ballot as the playing field will become more even for all parties. Right now, the non-established are required under Illinois law to start filing and campaigning later. If the starting point for all those who want to be on the ballot was at the same time with the same petition requirements and deadlines without corporate contributions, this may create a much-needed system of checks and balances.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Pritzker showed that he was able to curtail the spread of the virus and did his best to secure protective equipment. Closing the whole of Illinois down was not necessary in remote areas where cases were significantly low. Keeping the City of Chicago and other highly densely populated areas under shutdown was the correct thing to do, especially when it came to incoming traffic at the airport. I think each state district should have had a larger say in whether business fully needed to be shut down. The need to focus on building immunity and preventative health measures. Remember: prevention is better than cure. The need to shift billions away from unhealthy food processing and focus on building vitamin D supply. The need to make America healthier is apparent. We do not hear enough talk about this and required more briefings from doctors and nurses that were locally seeing cases and reporting to the public.

54th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Illinois lawmakers need to finally level with the general public, as well as public sector employees and retirees: these unfunded pension liabilities are unsustainable, will continue to deplete resources for current needs, and will continue to force taxpayers to pay more and get less in return. At the same time, the legislature should push for every constitutionally permissible pension reform possible at the state and local level. It must also pursue amending the state constitution to permit changes to public sector pensions on a go-forward basis.

I do not support amending the Illinois Constitution to permit a graduated tax. The current General Assembly leadership, majority of General Assembly members, and the Governor have not demonstrated a willingness to cut or reform current state spending and debt accumulation.

Without addressing Illinois’ chronic spending problems and burgeoning debt first, increased income taxes will further exacerbate Illinois’ problems by chasing out more residents and businesses—its tax base. To meet the state’s revenue needs, the legislature will be forced to raise income tax rates on a larger and larger share of middle-income earners.

Anyone who believes the state will raise taxes only on those making $250,000 or only on the upper 3% of income earners is either very naive or very forgetful of the long string of broken promises on taxing, spending, ethics, etc.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Constituents tell me that rapidly rising property taxes are their greatest concern. They’re also worried about the growing local and state government pension liabilities and what that will mean for future taxation. The state’s outmigration has them wondering if they’re going to be left holding the bag as the business and residential tax base shrinks. The increasing cost and dysfunction of so many county and state agencies and blasé attitude about it by top leaders has some deciding that they’re going to vote with their feet, especially if they have better job or quality of life prospects elsewhere. Lately, they’ve grown increasingly frustrated by the brazen corruption by Cook and collar county elected officials. The growing crime and incidents of violence are also frightening to many of our residents.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

I continue to push for meaningful pension reform, including a constitutional amendment. I’d like to implement a hard cap on property tax increases coupled with the necessary reforms that would enable our local governments to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. These reforms include: local government consolidation, pension reform, unfunded mandate relief, etc.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Our county and state leaders must stop raising tax rates and/or creating new taxes. It must demonstrate a plan and a commitment to cutting the size, scope, and expense of local, county and state government, which will likely draw the ire of powerful, well-organized public sector unions. Residents need to believe that those in elected office really are watching out for them, rather than their self-interested, special interest supporters. They have to have hope and trust that the corruption and financial mismanagement will finally come to an end.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Michael Madigan must, at a minimum, step down from his position as House Speaker. I have publicly called for this to happen since last year due to the mounting evidence of corruption, conflicts of interest, and unethical behavior that surrounds Madigan’s official and campaign operations. His chairmanship of the Democratic Party of Illinois—its fundraising, campaign staff, and organization—also gives him undue influence over Democratic Senate and House members, as well as other critical elected positions throughout the state.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Elected officials should not be allowed to concurrently serve as lobbyists. There should also be a 2-year ban on lobbying after an individual exits the elected position.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

A once in a century pandemic will severely challenge any governor. I think he is doing what he thinks is best to control the spread of the virus. There remains a constitutional question about whether he has exceeded his authority granted by state law by continually issuing new executive orders. This could be resolved by having legislative hearings and passing legislation to clarify the extent of the Governor’s authority. I have sponsored such legislation. At the same time he and his team are trying to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, I don’t believe they’re adequately considering the unintended consequences of their decisions as it relates to other public health concerns or economic concerns. As one who was born into enormous wealth, I’m also concerned that he is too insulated from the consequences of his policy decisions. He should better listen to working families with school-aged children and small businesses in the state that are barely clinging to survival.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

It is important to remember that this crisis was the result of problematic decisions over several administrations – both Republican and Democratic, coupled with an historic downturn in the markets and that it is a complex problem that will take concerted action over a number of years to move to solvency for pension funds, and to pay down the unfunded liability. 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 at the table, and consider options based on current interest rates and realistic rates of return on investments.

I support the fair tax amendment. I believe that allowing for a graduated income tax is by far the best protection against middle class tax increases. All other forms of taxation in this state, property and sales taxes, are inherently regressive, and in combination with a flat income tax, place an unfair burden on lower and middle income residents. The fair tax will give Illinois an important tool to address our budget issues without further burdening lower and middle income residents. The fair tax will help protect the middle class from future tax hikes.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Before the pandemic hit, high property taxes were of very specific concern to the residents the 54th district, and shifting away from the reliance on property taxes as primary source of funding of education is still a priority. State funding made possible through a graduated income tax, coupled with pressure on school districts to respond with a reduced reliance on property taxes will help moderate future property tax bills. In recent months, the fear of losing access to health care because of job loss and of crushing medical bills if they were to become sick has become a major concern to residents of the 54th district. Access to affordable healthcare and protection for those with preexisting conditions needs to be a priority of lawmakers in Springfield.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

When I have talked to voters in the 54th district, the key issues I hear about are access to affordable healthcare, education, and high property taxes. I plan to fight for affordable, accessible health care, including fighting for coverage of pre-existing conditions and a fairer system of taxation that provides adequate funding for education while reducing the need to rely on property taxes to alleviate the burden on middle class homeowners.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Illinois’ economy is diverse and as we begin to recover from this economic crisis, our state’s economy should be in a better position than most states to create good jobs that can attract people to this state. What I am hearing from voters 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 college tuition for the state’s public colleges and universities, as well as the uncertainty in funding for higher education, a legacy of the budget standoff. Consequently, 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.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

A thorough investigation of the tactics used by ComEd and other regulated entities is critical to the integrity of our legislative process, and we should demand full cooperation with this investigation from all our elected officials. Any and all who are found to have broken the law, including Mike Madigan, need to be held accountable.

Elected officials must be held to a high standard and be held accountable when they violate the public’s trust or the law. We must have confidence that our elected officials are not beholden to the industries they are sent to Springfield to oversee. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and everyone deserves due process under the law. Having said that, if the allegations against the Speaker are true or found to be true, then I believe he should resign from his leadership position and from his legislative seat.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I am a persistent advocate for strong and rigorously enforced ethics, lobbying and campaign finance regulations. All three are necessary to reduce the power of entities such as ComEd; its parent company, Exelon; and other state-regulated companies to shape legislation through both legal and illegal means. Corporations are not people, and should not have unfettered influence on our legislative and electoral processes. We need to craft effective legislation governing lobbying and campaign contributions to minimize the outsized influence of Illinois-regulated industries on the legislative process meant to protect the interests of the people of this state.

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. Many of 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.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Gov. Pritzker has done a great job managing the state’s response to the pandemic. He has exhibited strong leadership, grounded in science and compassion, in an unprecedented crisis – leadership that has been absent at the federal level. He’s shown a willingness to listen to those people and organizations affected by his decisions and to adapt to new information as it becomes available to us. I believe he made a concerted effort to work with the legislature, with leaders in the industries affected by shutdowns and with local units of government. I attribute the state’s ability to safely move to Phase 4 sooner than most states to his leadership. Gov. Pritzker drew criticism – much of it unjustified – for not working closely enough with the legislature, and perhaps he could have addressed those criticisms more pointedly. Legislators were engaged in planning efforts during that period, and I appreciate the need for a shortened, efficient session to keep those who work in the capital, their families and the communities they return to as safe as possible.

56th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Illinois’ unfunded pensions for state and local government employees are growing every year. Our state spends nearly double the average on its pension programs, ballooning our pension debt to $140 billion. This yearly burden accounts for $31 of every $100 tax dollars sent to Springfield.

Moving forward, it is important preserve retirement benefits already earned while making critical changes to future enrollment. For those currently in the pension system, the state should honor their commitment. But for those coming into the system, it should be a shared pension system, much like a 401k.

I don’t trust Springfield politicians, and most Illinoisans don’t trust them either. Why should we? We have been let down time and time again. While they promise to only raise taxes on the top 3% now, the constitutional amendment would allow politicians to raise taxes on ANY tax bracket without approval in the future.

People often like to say, “we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.” That is true, however I would argue we have a greater character problem. Our state leaders are short on credibility and long on distrust. We have the largest pension debt burden, a bond rating that is very close to junk bond status, one of the worst budgets in the country, the worst outward migration, the highest property taxes, ramped corruption in government, and increasing taxes would only make those problems worse.

Leadership, cooperation, and sincerity, not tax hikes, are the solutions.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

The number one issue I hear from constituents is an overwhelming lack of trust in our elected officials. The parade of corruption and failure has eroded any connection between citizens and the decisions in Springfield. Everything starts with ethics reform. We must return to a government working for the people.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Illinois fiscal outlook is grim. We have the highest property taxes in the nation and according to a report from US News our state is 49th in education and 50th in fiscal stability. Over the last decade Illinois saw the nation’s worst population decrease. The loss is estimated to have cost the state $3.45 billion, ironically the same amount Governor Pritzker generously estimates for his progressive state income tax plan. Small businesses and the workers they hired must be incentivized to stay in Illinois or they will leave for greener pastures. The pension system needs to be fixed now. The current pension debt currently accounts for 31% of all tax dollars sent to Springfield. The state should honor its commitment for those currently in the pension system while making sustainable changes for new enrollees. Stop the bleeding.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

We must have an environment that supports and incentivizes workers, contractors, small business owners and outside investment to build our economy stronger. I would propose an immediate freeze or reduction in taxes with a 10-year moratorium on any increase. Also, an appropriate decrease in the sales tax would help new businesses to become established and surviving firms to return to profitable levels.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Speaker Madigan should resign immediately from his leadership positions. He has lost the trust of Illinois citizens who are fed up with the culture of corruption destroying our state. As such, I fully support term limits for leadership. Speaker Madigan has proven no single individual should hold powerful leadership positions for as long as he has.

I am the only candidate in the race to call publicly call for the Speaker to step down from his leadership roles. If elected, I will vote against another two-year term for Speaker Madigan.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I support House Bill 4042 which would ban lawmakers from working as lobbyists while in office. The fact that Springfield politicians have been able to double dip, making money from both ends of government, is a travesty. Additionally, I support a lobbying ban on lawmakers’ immediate family, including spouses or others living with them. Retiring elected officials should be prohibited from paid lobby efforts for a period of two years after leaving office.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

The COVID-19 pandemic is something none of us have experienced before, and without that experience to fall back on it is no surprise there have been problems. While I believe the governor was initially sincere in his actions to protect our state, he has been unwilling or unable to adapt to the ever-changing situation. The impact of the shutdown has crippled our state’s already unstable economy. Jobs have been lost, businesses have been shuttered or closed, and there has been little to no help from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The governor should work with the legislature, with business and community leaders, and find solutions independent of partisanship. We need to be focused on the things we can do to help keep our family, friends, and neighbors safe and prosperous.

77th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Pension reform requires honesty. We have had a a state of criminals and leaders being indicted weekly..!!! Until there is honesty in our leaders they will never address the pension issue. Reform requires the willingness to change the law, pension reform will require serious heavy lifting which i am prepared for, and being HONEST, is my pledge to the people. Legislators must admit the problem exists, and not lie to the public. The law must be changed with a constitutional amendment to revise current and future plans. the only other choice is to declare bankruptcy and declare all pensions null and void and start over.

I do not support the graduated tax. I believe middle class tax payers are being duped to believe they will not be affected. If it is such a good idea , why would the Governor spend over $50 Million dollars of his own wealth to get it passed? If implemented the General Assembly would be allowed to change the tax rate from $250,000.00, to any number at any time going forward without voter input or legal challenge.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Term limits, accountability, tax reform (not increases) ethics reform, and job growth. We have to stop the exodus from Illinois, We can not tax our way out of this problem. Voters will continue to vote with their feet.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Ethics reform/accountability, and term limits.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

lower the corporate and personal tax rate. Also let people believe that their government is truthful and honest…..

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Michael Madigan should resign from every office and position..! His 40 year reign of terror and pillaging should be enough with the Legal hammer hanging over his head..! He has embarrassed himself and his office. The governor should demand he resign and should have already done so..! I demand he resign.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

One ethics reform proposal i would support would be no taking of any money..$$$…from any Government run entity or lobbyist, and no accepting of any funds from other party leaders slush funds. My opponent has taken thousands of dollars, $$$,..from Madigan funds to keep her in line and vote his way, in all matters, all the time. Check the record..!!!!

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Pritzker has bankrupted the state and ruined small businesses. His lockdowns caused incredible financial ruin to the state and consequently serious loss to the tax base resulting in huge financial ruin statewide. My advice would be to open, open open the state and allow people the FREEDOM to make their own choices and personal decisions.

78th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

This is a very difficult problem, but one that must be addressed. New state employees must be put in a defined contribution plan and not a defined benefit plan so that the problem does not get worse. We also must do all we can to grow the Illinois economy to improve the tax base. Finally cuts in other areas of state spending so the state can afford its pension obligations. These cuts would include cuts in the costs of police, court, and prison that are focused on non-violent crime, especially drug use and cuts in pork barrel spending, which is part of political reform.

I do not support the change in the constitution that will allow for higher taxes. Illinois has a fiscal crisis that will not be solved by higher taxes. Higher taxes drive business and people out of Illinois and they take their tax dollars with them. I have no doubt that the graduated tax will eventually cause taxes to be raised on middle class taxpayers, I am for reducing the tax burden on low and middle income citizens by reducing the progressive sales tax.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

My constituents want safe streets and good jobs. My constituents are bright, industrious, and moral people and are ready to revitalize their communities. They need to feel safe and they need opportunities for good jobs or opening businesses. They want lawmakers in Springfield to address those two areas first and foremost.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

My top two priorities are to improve the climate for business and jobs in Illinois and to have a criminal justice system that keeps us safe, but does not invade our personal freedom.

1. My plan for improving the business climate is:

a. Lower taxes: Lower taxes will encourage better productivity and create more jobs as people spend their hard-earned money on goods and services. I pledge to vote against any tax increase.

b. Less Red Tape: I will work to reduce barriers to entry, complicated laws, and endless paperwork that prevents businesses from starting or strangles their growth.

c. Reduce state spending: Our state government spends too much money on police, courts, and prisons and wastes too much money on political cronyism.

i. I will work to have police, court, and prison resources focused on violent and property crime and reduce spending on crimes like drugs and prostitution that are personal choices.

ii. I will work to raise the retirement age for state pensions by five years.

iii. I pledge to vote against any spending that is wasteful or politically motivated and vote for great transparency in spending.

iv. I pledge to vote against any state spending that increases the overall spending by our state. d. Improve education: I will support more parent choice by supporting traditional public schools, charter public schools and private schools.

2. My plan for reforming the Illinois criminal justice system is:

a. Police, court, and prison resources focused on violent and property crimes and not on crimes like drugs and prostitution that are personal choices.

b. Enhanced training for all officers on the proper use of force, de-escalation techniques, and racial sensitivity.

c. Support for inmates leaving the system to be productive so that recidivism is reduced.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Safety, lower taxes, and less red tape can keep residents from leaving. That is why my top two priorities are to improve the business and job climate in Illinois and have a criminal justice system that keeps us safe.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

Based on my reading of the investigation, Michael Madigan should resign from all his positions in state government. He has been his party’s leader for decades and corruption has run rampant under his watch. The ComEd story illuminates the pay-to- play philosophy of Illinois state government and directly ties Madigan to that philosophy. He should resign from all positions.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Term limits. I favor term limits for all state elected officials of 8 years. This is enough time to learn the ropes, but not too much time to become entrenched in lobbying, campaign contributions, and corruption. Also, legislators who are too long in office lose touch with the daily struggles of average Illinoisans.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I would give Governor Priztker an A. I believe he acted quickly and decisively to close Illinois and the results speak for his good work. He has opened the state prudently and deliberately.

80th District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

When discussing tax hikes in Illinois, I asked several people in politics, “Why don’t we ever address the unsustainability of pension schemes?” The politicians’ answer was that no one wants to be the bad guy. Politicians in power know that they won’t be blamed, but the politician that addresses the issue will be the one that is scapegoated. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news that Illinois doesn’t actually have the $137 Billion that politicians have been telling pensioners that it does have or be the one to let taxpayers know they are on the hook. Fortunately, running as a Libertarian means I don’t have to follow Party marching orders and can be honest about our situation. First, admit that we have a problem. It is not sustainable for taxpayers to pay for services that were rendered decades ago. Second, the State needs to get the Federal Reserve involved to consolidate and refinance. Without help, the State will have to freeze existing levels for current employees and move forward as a hybrid model; part fixed benefit and part fixed contribution plan. Future employees would enter a fixed contribution plan. Pension schemes have issues because they require contributions from its current members to pay for promises to its older members. Without the contribution from new members, the pensions will need to seek new streams for fresh revenue. All new revenue coming from new gaming, recreational drugs, and opening up new markets would go towards fixing the pensions first.

A little over 100 years ago, when the US amended the Constitution to allow for an income tax, it was sold to the population as only impacting the wealthiest 3% of the population. The richest of the rich would only pay 1% of their income, while everyone else would be unaffected. It was great marketing to convince people to approve the income tax, but as we all know, April 15th impacts a lot more people than the top 3%. The question of whether the graduated tax should be supported and if the middle class will be protected depends on whether or not you believe politicians.Personally, I cannot support more taxes on the people of Illinois. By some measures, Illinois is already the most taxed population in the OECD. We are driving more and more people out of the state for freer pastures. The graduated income tax will only continue to speed the process and to hurt small businesses.A couple options for protecting the middle class would be to require a citizen vote before the legislature can raise the taxes. The other option would be for a tiered system. There would be a rate based on your income and also a fixed rate based on your approval of the taxes. In order to improve fairness for all citizens, if there is a fixed levy on those that vote in favor of the tax, then it will put more burden of proof on the appeal of the tax.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Taxes is by far what I hear the most from constituents. I have frequently been asked by constituents, “Why do we live in this State?” I would say their primary goal is to make Illinois a more affordable and livable place. The property taxes in Illinois are the second highest in the nation and people are finding more affordable options. Last year, my company was reviewing our customers and found that over 2% of our customers had left Illinois for other states. Some of the main destinations included Colorado, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Illinois property taxes are almost three times the rate of those states.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

Number one would be limiting and if possible eliminating corruption. Over the past twenty years, Illinois has underperformed GDP growth by half of the rest of the US. An assessment of the corruption in Illinois causes an estimated half a billion in economic damage annually. Taking steps to reduce the corruption could be a major positive step towards improving the economy. Number two is ballot access reform. Whether we want to consider our government a representative republic or a democracy, either way those forms of government require choices. In 2018, almost half of the races for IL House of Representatives went unopposed. There were thousands of races across the State in which voters only had one choice. One of the most successful techniques for politicians to stay in power has been to keep opponents off the ballot. Easing restrictions and allowing more participants will expand ideas and improve representation of more views.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Start small. While many politicians will pitch large infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, nobody wants to live near those infrastructure projects. The quality of life doesn’t improve for the people that live near the airport, power plants, transportation hubs or the highways. Instead of the big projects, let’s start small and improve what we have.

1) Turn abandoned areas into nature preserves, parks, and urban ecotourism.

2) Repurpose empty retail space and promote small business incubation.

3) Improve local agriculture and food supply.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

First of all, I do not believe that any government official should be allowed to remain in power as long as Madigan has. Between the alleged bribery scandal and the potential sexual harassment cover up, Madigan should resign or be removed from a position of authority. If we are going to truly represent the free society that we fashion ourselves to be, then we should not allow one person that have as much authority over its citizens as the Speaker has over the people of Illinois. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are scared to cross him and know that he controls the political fate of any bill, legislation, or politician.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Some of the ethics reforms that the legislature needs to undertake are a two-year waiting period for lobbying and consulting for politicians leaving office, clear registration by lobbyist, and mandatory recusal for conflict of interest.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

The State of Illinois is 150 days into Pritzker’s 15-day plan. The people of Illinois gave up their freedoms and liberties on the notion that this will be a short-term inconvenience and our freedoms will be returned to us at the end of the 15 days. The initial goal of the shutdown was to prevent our healthcare systems from being overwhelmed and we are past that point. We are adults that are supposed to have freedoms and rights. We live in a world in which many people can live without ever needing to leave their homes. For example, many people can work from home and get groceries and meals delivered. If there are people with medical issues that do not want to take the risk of getting infected, they don’t need to take the risk. They have the choice of whether or not to leave their home to go to restaurants/bars/other businesses. Let’s allow the people that want to take the risk of the disease take the risk and help the population get closer to natural herd immunity. The worst part of his management is that we failed at protecting the people that needed it most. When I have spoken to workers from assisted care and developmental centers, there is a common trend that workers felt the facilities were forced to take on patients with Covid even without the resources to manage. A local facility was fighting to get government permits in order to finish an isolated wing to best serve their patients, but this process was deemed non-essential. We have failed to address the more long-term consequences of the lockdown. The measures against small businesses will harm the livelihoods and well-being of millions of Illinoisans. From a business standpoint, an estimated 24,000 Illinois restaurants will never reopen. From a quality life standpoint, the situation is so dire right now that a recent CDC survey found that 25% of 18-24 year olds and 16% of 25-44% have “seriously considered suicide” in the past month. This is a serious crisis that needs to be addressed. We need to start taking measures to address the problems created by the lockdowns, while still recognizing the severity of the disease.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

Reform the pension system

Nothing in the current flat tax system or the graduated system protect taxpayers from potential future hikes.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

The speaker has stated he has no intention of resigning. I’ve had a private conversation with the speaker and expressed my perspective and concerns.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

Pass the term limits bill I have filed and adopt fair map redistricting.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

82nd District

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

The legislature must pass a new pension reform bill and have it tested in the court system. I am Chief House Sponsor of HB4207 which adopts the “consideration” model, which gives the state its best chance to find pension savings within the confines of the Constitution. Unfortunately, the majority party did not allow the bill to be moved this year.

This “unfair tax” is a kick in the teeth to families and small businesses across Illinois. Earlier this year, I introduced a resolution to remove the graduated income tax amendment question from the November ballot. As we’ve seen in other states, the high-income earners leave and the middle class absorbs the graduated tax. We simply can’t do this to our state’s residents when we are seeing historic unemployment and a depleted economy due to the pandemic.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

Clean air is something we all agree upon. In August of 2018, we found out that a gas sterilization company in my district, Sterigenics, was emitting ethylene oxide into the air and poisoning our communities for decades. Coming together as a community, we fought valiantly to permanently shut down Sterigenics. We succeeded on September 30, 2019 when Sterigenics announced they were shuttering their doors for good. Along the battle, I introduced the Matt Haller Act which created the strongest restrictions on ethylene oxide in the nation. When the courts approved a consent decree on September 20 to allow Sterigenics to re-open, I introduced House Bill 3885 that would authorize any municipality in the state of Illinois to implement a local ban of the use of ethylene oxide within its boundaries. If a local municipality chooses to adopt this authority, any sterilizing companies would be prohibited from using ethylene oxide. At the end of the day, it was a shining example of what our citizens can accomplish in conjunction with elected officials.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

* Ethics reform in all of Illinois government

* Pension reform

* Property tax reform and relief

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

It is crystal clear that families and businesses are struggling with high taxes in Illinois, especially property taxes. Last year, the bipartisan, bicameral Property Tax Relief Task Force was charged with identifying the root causes of Illinois’ increasingly burdensome property taxes and recommending reforms to provide real relief to struggling homeowners across the state. Instead, Democrats on the task force drafted a sham report that failed to include dozens of reform ideas offered by Republican members. Democrats’ failure to provide any property tax relief is another clear indication of history repeating itself in Illinois.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

The federal charges outlined in the ComEd prosecution highlight a scheme solely for the benefit of Speaker Madigan. These facts are a disgrace of the highest level to the citizens of Illinois and to the institution of which we serve, the Illinois House of Representatives. The House Rules for the 101st General Assembly provide great responsibilities and duties of the Speaker of the House. After reviewing the facts contained in the ComEd deferred prosecution agreement, it is abundantly clear that Michael J. Madigan is unable to execute his responsibilities as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and as state representative for the 22nd House District. I have called for the immediate resignation of Speaker Madigan from the Illinois House of Representatives, and filed House Resolution 885 to have the House Chamber vote on a new Speaker immediately. The ethics reform package I introduced last year is necessary today in light of the massive, ongoing corruption scandals.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

During veto session last year, I introduced a sweeping ethics reform package to address unacceptable practices brought forth through the ongoing federal investigations. These ethics reform bills are common sense, and a direct response to the wrongdoings we have learned from the current federal investigations. The ethics package includes:

* House Bill 3954 that will revise statement of economic interests to include more details similar to the information required for judicial statement of economic interest forms. This forces full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and provides greater transparency for members of the General Assembly.

* HJRCA 36 will require a special election to fill General Assembly vacancies through the same laws governing our party primaries. This will prevent political powerbrokers from picking their preferred candidates for the vacancies.

* House Resolution 588 will allow a Chief Co-Sponsor of any bill with five co-sponsors from each party to call it for an up or down vote in a substantive committee.

* House Bill 3947 would ban members of the General Assembly, their spouses, and immediate live-in family members from performing paid lobbying work with local government units. Currently, members of the Illinois General Assembly – state representatives and state senators – are prohibited from lobbying the State of Illinois, but are not prohibited from lobbying local government units, such as a counties or municipalities.

* House Bill 3955 will create mandatory and publicly available documentation of General Assembly communications with any state agency regarding contracts.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

Being Governor in Illinois is a tough job on the best of days, and I do not envy the choices a governor has to make. However, we have seen Governor Pritzker put over a million Illinois residents out of work with the stroke of a pen without having a functional unemployment system. To this day, the IDES system is a complete disaster and it’s at the expense of those who are desperate to put food on the table for their families. We all understand that we are living in unprecedented times, but the General Assembly is a co-equal branch of government and should be doing its job. The Governor continues to run state government via executive order over and over again. Myself and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle did not abdicate our constitutional responsibilities during this pandemic. Our governor cannot rule with unilateral authority.

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Illinois continues down the path of unfunded pension liabilities with no easy solutions in sight. What should Illinois lawmakers do about it?

The state of Illinois is financing pensions that just cannot realistically be funded. Going forward Illinois lawmakers need to address future pension obligations, honoring pensions currently being paid as well as those promised to current workers, but changing how our pension system will look in the future, including the possibility of offering a 401(k) plan to all new hires, taxing the retirement incomes of Illinois’ highest earners, and capping pensions for higher paid employees. This may not be popular, but it is necessary.

I believe that the proposed graduated income tax is a step in the right direction. Our current flat state income tax system places too high a burden on the working and middle classes, while not requiring the wealthiest Illinoisans to pay their fair share. I believe that middle class taxpayers can and must be protected from future hikes. I would call on every elected proponent of the graduated income tax to pledge that they would not vote in the future to increase taxes on the middle class. I would never support increasing taxes on the middle class and actually would favor further decreasing taxes on the middle class beyond what the proposed graduated income tax will do.

Tell us what you hear most from constituents. What is their top priority of lawmakers in Springfield?

The two things that I hear over and over from constituents is that they are fed up with corruption and that they are fed up with having to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets to give more and more of their hard-earned money to the government.

What is, or would be, your top two priorities if elected?

My top two priorities if elected will be to take on corruption in our government and fight for an economy that works for everyone. Many of Illinois’ elected officials have been in office for several decades and have not been representing the needs of the people; rather, these individuals have been using their immense political power to preserve the status quo and enact the agendas of large corporations and donors. Imposing term limits and working to end gerrymandering will help to ensure that no politician gains too much power and will allow for everyday people to be better represented. Going forward, it is also critical that we address campaign finance reform by passing legislation increasing transparency and restricting campaign contributions from special interest groups, corporations, and lobbyists. Nearly 80% of American workers report living paycheck to paycheck. The wealthiest 10% of Americans possess significantly more wealth than the remaining 90%. This is completely unacceptable and highlights an enormous failure by our elected officials. Our elected officials have placed the agendas of large corporations and the wealthiest Americans ahead of the needs of the average American. As state representative, I will fight to increase pay for the lower and middle classes, while requiring the rich and large corporations to pay their fair share in taxes. I will also work to create more job training and affordable educational opportunities, invest in and increase access to funding for local businesses, and incentivize corporations to create quality and high paying jobs in Illinois.

What can be done in your district to keep residents and businesses from leaving Illinois?

I believe that many residents are leaving Illinois in large part due to the high cost of living. To keep our residents in Illinois, state elected officials must work to drive down the cost of education, lower property taxes, lower income taxes on the middle class, and give tax incentives to small businesses.

Due to an unfolding federal investigation, should Michael Madigan remain in his positions in state government? Which ones? Why or why not?

If it can be proven that Michael Madigan has engaged in any corrupt behavior, then he should resign from all of his positions. Ultimately though, if voters believe that any elected official is corrupt, the voters must make their voices heard by voting him or her out of office. Ethics and corruption regulations should also be revisited to strengthen the fight against corruption and help weed out corrupt officials.

What is one ethics reform proposal you think would make a difference to keep elected officials more accountable and transparent?

I support the ethics reform proposal that some of the Democrats have recently endorsed. These include prohibiting legislator-lobbyists, better defining who is a lobbyist, full disclosure of outside income, establishing term limits for legislative leaders, and establishing a process for removal of leaders and committee chairs. While this is a good start, we need to further address campaign finance reform and gerrymandering in order to truly root out corruption and make elected officials more accountable and transparent.

Please evaluate the job Gov. J.B. Priztker has done managing the coronavirus pandemic. What concerns do you have? What advice would you give him?

I believe that overall Governor Pritzker has done a good job handling the coronavirus pandemic thus far. He took swift action in the spring to limit the spread of the virus and stood up to President Trump and the federal government. However, Governor Pritzker’s job and our job are far from finished. The virus is still not under control, many schools are still unable to safely welcome back students, many guidelines are still being ignored, many businesses are failing, and many Illinoisans are struggling financially while trying to supervise e-learning for their children and find childcare. It is the elected officials’ responsibility to make sure that people and businesses do not fall through the cracks during this difficult time. I’m very concerned that some Illinoisans are being left behind because there is no clear understanding of what is happening with unemployment benefits (in part due to the federal government response). Businesses, too, can only open at limited capacity and some are being forced to close inside services again, leaving business owners struggling and facing an uncertain future. Going forward, we need a clear and concise plan as to how businesses are going to survive under these guidelines because many businesses desperately need financial help. The solution to the Coronavirus is to get it under control and then figure out how we are going to live with it.

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