JoAnn Franzen: 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: RoselleWebsite: http://tocomeOffice sought: 45th District RepresentativeAge: 51Family: Married, 2 childrenOccupation: Home Health CareEducation: College courses taken for job advancement paid for by employer, Insurance LicenseCivic involvement: Precinct Committeewomen, Candidate for State Rep. Dist. 45 in 2010, Sunday School Teacher to date, Scout Den Leader, PTO, Room Mother,Mentor at grade School level, Accounting Firm AdministratorElected offices held: Precinct Committee personHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Economy/jobsKey Issue 2 Illinois deficitKey Issue 3 Government transparencyQuestions 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?Bring more businesses into our community, I feel big tax breaks to bring business to a community are okay as a one time perk, not to be carried on for years.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?Yes, I feel it is a shame that money is the leading factor in getting elected.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?Firstly, there needs to be some type of pension reform. However, we must be respectful of the people who have planned their lives for the last 20 to 30 years based on the pension they have been paying into regularly. To further cut the budget, we can combine agencies that practice duplicate services. There is too much government in Illinois. We must do away with legislative scholarship programs and take a look at Medicaid. Lastly, my view on gambling is, although it looks to be a positive source for state income, I do not feel it is a good source of entertainment for most people who participate regularly.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?Firstly, no part time public elected officials should be eligible for pensions. Regarding House Republican Leader Tom Cross's three-tier pension plan, I believe that it is a good idea for employees newly entering a pension program. However, it is unreasonable to ask a family who has planned their lives around a pension for 20 to 30 years to revamp their plans to fix other elected official's misuse of funds.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 feel marriage should be available to everyone. I believe when life begins is a personal not state issue. If a person feels they need to carry a firearm for their safety they should be able to if they fulfill all the requirements to legally purchase a firearm. Lastly, the death penalty is a touchy subject. However, I cannot condone the taking of a life.