William Adams: 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: WheatonWebsite: http://www.voteadams.usOffice sought: 42nd District RepresentativeAge: 41Family: Been with my life partner, Lisa Cimaroli for 4 years. 3 Sibling (One brother and Two sisters) Mother - Lives in California Father - Deceased in 2005Occupation: Accountant @ Evans Accounting Carol Stream, ILEducation: Associates of Arts from College of DuPage Major-Accounting Minor-Political ScienceCivic involvement: On the Board of Director of Kentucky Mountain KidsElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Education - We must reduce class sizes to allow teachers to provide more direct, personalized, and effective instruction to all students. I will work to ensure we fully fund special education. I will work to increase the education funding foundation level to ensure every child has a quality school environment and quality teachers. I will focus on increasing the state?s role in funding education, and reduce the reliance on property taxes.Key Issue 2 Pension Reform- The new attack on the working family comes in the name of "Pension Reform". One of the many reasons our pension system is falling apart is because of abuse by politicians. After decades of bilking the system for their own personal gain, our elected officials are trying to convince taxpayers that public pensions are the cause of our state's problems. They would have you believe that the front line employee is somehow "greedy" and should give up those "out of control" pension benefits. For example, a State Representative becomes eligible for pension benefits after just two 2-year terms in office? After four years in office the amount of time it takes to become vested a current legislator becomes eligible to receive a pension of 12 percent of his/her salary, along with 3 percent increases if retiring after age 60. That pension payout spikes to 27 percent of salary after 8 years of in office, 45 percent after 12 years of service and finally the maximum 85 percent after 20 years. To show my commitment to this office, I vow that if elected, I will NOT take a pension as State Representative! I am also asking that ALL of our elected officials at the City, County and State levels take a stand and make the same pledge. It's time for true pension reform. It's time for career politicians to give up their bloated political pensions. These are the pensions that need reforming, not the modest pensions of the average public employee. This is public service. There should be no pension whatsoever for politicians. Public service should be just that, service; not a path to riches.Key Issue 3 Balance the BudgetQuestions Answers How would you fix the state's pension gap? Should pension costs be shifted to suburban school districts? Why or why not? Should this issue be voted on in a lame-duck session? Why or why not? How can partisan gridlock be eased to solve the crisis?The new attack on the working family comes in the name of "Pension Reform". One of the many reasons our pension system is falling apart is because of abuse by politicians. After decades of bilking the system for their own personal gain, our elected officials are trying to convince taxpayers that public pensions are the cause of our state's problems. They would have you believe that the front line employee is somehow "greedy" and should give up those "out of control" pension benefits. For example, a State Representative becomes eligible for pension benefits after just two 2-year terms in office? After four years in office the amount of time it takes to become vested a current legislator becomes eligible to receive a pension of 12 percent of his/her salary, along with 3 percent increases if retiring after age 60. That pension payout spikes to 27 percent of salary after 8 years of in office, 45 percent after 12 years of service and finally the maximum 85 percent after 20 years. To show my commitment to this office, I vow that if elected, I will NOT take a pension as State Representative! I am also asking that ALL of our elected officials at the City, County and State levels take a stand and make the same pledge. It's time for true pension reform. It's time for career politicians to give up their bloated political pensions. These are the pensions that need reforming, not the modest pensions of the average public employee. This is public service. There should be no pension whatsoever for politicians. Public service should be just that, service; not a path to riches. I will not let the state shift to school boards the responsibility because the state caused it and it need to fix by the state. No the issue is not be done in lame duck session it need to be covered fully not just a band-aid. Partisan gridlock be eased by reimplementing the "Pension Law Commission". It will consist of 12 members. 2 State Representative., 2 State Senators,4 Union Leaders and 4 Community Leader. Every pension proposal must go through this commission to come up with a complete plan of attack.How, specifically, would you cut the budget? What does Illinois need to do to fix its status as a "deadbeat state?" How will you vote on future gambling bills? What is your view of slots at racetracks? Casino expansion?Cutting the budget by implementing a "Grace Commission" to review the state's budget and come up with a complete budget plan. I will vote the way my constituents want to me to vote because I represent them.What can you do specifically to help the economy in your district? How can you help create jobs in your district and statewide? What is your view of the tax breaks granted to companies like Motorola Mobility, Navistar and Sears?I will help create jobs in my district and state wide by implementing a tax credit to business that create jobs and not one big one for the big companies. It will be for the small and large business.Do you favor limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during an election? If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus? Why or why not? Do you support or oppose campaign contribution limits? Please explain.My take on campaign contribution is it should be no more than what the person running will make at their job, such as, a state representative make $67,000 a year and the contribution limit should be just that.Should gay marriage be legalized in Illinois? Should it be voted on in a lame-duck session as civil unions were? Should Illinois define life as beginning at conception? How would you vote on a concealed carry plan? Should the death penalty return?I am for equal rights across the board including but not limited to sexual orientation, race and women's rights.