Amanda Howland: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Lake ZurichWebsite: http://www.amandaforsenate.comOffice sought: 26th District SenateAge: Candidate did not respond.Family: Spouse, 3 younger sisters, 2 nieces, 1 nephew, 4 catsOccupation: Attorney and educator. Trustee for College of Lake County. Public servant.Education: M.A. - Psychology M.S. - Educational Administration Juris Doctor - emphasis on Intellectual Property and on Labor Law.Civic involvement: Member LZAC Chamber of Commerce Member Hawthorn Woods Women's Club501(c)(3) charitable group Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Registered Guardian ad Litem Catholic Charities volunteer Special Olympics Gymnastics Judge Illinois State High School Association Board member Women's Gymnastics Judge Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee I am also a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, museums, and am a supporter of the arts, sciences and music.Elected offices held: College of Lake County Trustee - 2008 to present Vice President - Caravel Condominium Association (2003-2005)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Jobs/EconomyIllinois suffers from an unemployment rate of almost 9%. In addition, our government budget is broken. The legislature must find ways to work together toward solving these urgent problems. We have to demand fiscal accountability and transparency. We have to encourage investments in new technology and the green economy to help create new jobs. We need temporary tax credits for business that hire new workers. We also must support our community colleges and higher education so that workers can learn new skills and re-train for new and changing jobs.Key Issue 2 EducationWith today's global economy we have to remain competitive. Supporting and improving our schools is critical. We must force Springfield to meet its constitutional obligation to fairly fund our schools. Repeated property tax increases are not the answer. We also must understand that there is no "quick fix" or set of standardized testing to solve the problems of student underachievement. As a former teacher and school administrator I have the background necessary to tackle these issues. I understand the concerns of teachers, administrators and parents and I am ready to make the tough choices that are necessary to improve the future of our educational system.Key Issue 3 Ethics/PartinsanshipElected officials are public servants. Legislators need to act accordingly. Unfortunately, corruption has been commonplace in Illinois. Pay to play politics must be ended once and for all. We need to make further reforms to campaign financing. We must do everything possible to keep government contracts transparent.As a lawyer, I am accountable every day. I must adhere to a standard of ethics as required by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee. I will work tirelessly to restore faith in politicians and the political process and to uphold high ethical standards.Questions Answers What can you do specifically to help the economy in your district? What is your view of the tax breaks granted to companies like Motorola Mobility, Navistar and Sears? For incumbents, how did you vote on the Sears plan in this fall's veto session?We need to find relief for the shrinking middle class.It is the backbone of our society.Providing the middle class with tax rebates or refunds will help spur spending and boost the economy.Most importantly, Springfield needs to get serious about job creation.We need to provide tax credits to businesses that hire new employees and create new jobs.We need to invest in capital expansion that leads to more jobs in the future.We need to provide funding for our outdated infrastructure and put people to work improving it so that our district remains competitive in the fast changing global economy.I believe it is important to keep companies like Sears, Motorola, etc. in Illinois.Losing the jobs those companies provide for our residents would be devastating to our economy.Unfortunately, these companies are symbolic of the dilemma facing all businesses.This cannot be dealt with solely on a case by case basis.The legislature needs to work cooperatively to find solutions that provide incentives for businesses to remain here and that encourage new businesses to invest in Illinois.Do you favor limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during a general election? If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus' Why or why not?Our campaign system is broken.Candidates should be elected based on knowledge, ideas and ability NOT based on how much money a candidate has or can raise.Unfortunately, we are stuck with latter and unless that changes contributions will continue to be a main focus of all campaigns.Currently I am not beholden to any elected official and I am not a career politician.I want to serve the people of our district to the best of my ability to insure that their voices are heard in Springfield.When elected, I will listen to constituents, evaluate options and vote accordingly.How, specifically, would you cut the budget? What does Illinois need to do to fix its status as a "deadbeat state?" How have you or will you vote on future gambling bills' What is your view of slots at racetracks' Casino expansion?Cutting the budget must be done on a line by line basis and all areas will be affected. When elected I will take a serious look at all budget items and work with my fellow Senators to find areas where we can make cuts while ensuring that we are still able to provide funding for our schools and for essential social services.First, we need to get busy and pay off our mountain of unpaid debts.Next we need to ensure that we balance our budget each year so we do not end up in financial crisis again in the future.As I speak with citizens in our district it is clear that expanding gambling is not a major concern.People are focused on the state of the economy and whether or not they will continue to have jobs.That said, expanding gambling is a double-edged sword. It is not clear that the pros outweigh the cons. If an increase in gambling is passes we must ensure that gaming facilties are closely monitored to prevent a growth in organized crime.We must also have a cap on the number of licenses that are distributed.Gambling addiction must also be addressed in any bill that is passed.As an elected official I would look at any proposed expansion on a case by case basis and consider how the legislation would affect our district and our State.What do you specifically support to deal with the state's pension gap? Would you vote for House Republican Leader Tom Cross's three-tier pension plan? Why or why not?Years of taking holidays and shorting payments has caused much of the strain our system is currently experiencing.First, we need to fulfill our obligations and make the required pension payment each year and in full.Next, the State needs to continue to close loopholes that are allowing individuals to abuse the system.This is more than a dollar and cents issue.I have researched the three-tier plan and do not feel that I fully grasp all the implications at this time; however, changing to a three-tier plan has many potential problems.It will impact the integrity of our State Constitution, the promises our State makes and it affects public budgets, services and employees.Should gay marriage be legalized? Should Illinois define life as beginning at conception as others have? How would you vote on a concealed carry firearm plan? Should the death penalty be reinstated?Marriage is a religious label. I believe that committed couples (heterosexual or homosexual) should be entitled to the benefits of domestic partnership or civil union.With four doctors in my immediate family, I do not believe that life begins at conception.I have a valid FOID card and received some weapons training when I worked in the Federal Court system.I am currently researching the pros and cons of concealed carry.I cannot give a blanket answer without seeing the language in specific legislation.I do not believe the death penalty should be reinstated.As an attorney, I have firsthand experience with mistakes in how the law is interpreted and/or applied.There have been far too many incidences of wrongful conviction.