Michael Noland: 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: ElginWebsite: http://noland.orgOffice sought: 22nd District SenateAge: 51Family: Married, two children.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: BA, University of Illinois at Chicago MBA, University of Illinois at Chicago JD, John Marshall Law SchoolCivic involvement: Various Civic Organizations prior to election 2006Elected offices held: Illinois Senate, 2007-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 JobsKey Issue 2 Tax ReformKey Issue 3 Pension ReformQuestions 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?Thousands of people in my district are employed as teachers, police, fire fighters, public service workers, etc.Then there are the social services.Making sure the state is solvent and paying its bills on time is the best thing I can do to assist in our economic recovery.Reforming our out moded tax code is crucial to doing this.I voted no on the Sears plan in this fall's veto session.Again, we need tax reform that is fair to both large corporations and small businesses and cease the special selection of winners and losers.Furthermore, we need to reform our TIF (and EDA)statutes so that education is not sacrificed in the name of economic development.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?I support limits on spending in campaigns.I will vote for John Cullerton to continue as Senate President because he has been successful in bringing parties together to pass historic legislation.Further, I believe he will lead, not merely manage as we face difficult issues.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?I would look to departmental review of our newly implimented budgeting for results legislation to guide policy on cuts.Illinois needs to modernize its tax code in order to generate revenues necessary to support the nation's fifth largest economy.I do not favor either slots at the tracks or gaming expansion detrimental to my district.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?As a member of the Governor's Pension Reform Committee,I am considering any and all suggestions.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?I would consider legalizing gay marriage.I adhere to the Supreme Court's Ruling in Roe v. Wade.I might support conceal carry.I would consider reinstating the death penalty under very limited circumstances.