Don Castella: 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: LincolnshireWebsite: http://www.donforillinois.comOffice sought: 30th District SenateAge: 64Family: Widowed, no childrenOccupation: Retired Small Business Owner, Data Communications EngineerEducation: Geological Science, University of IllinoisCivic involvement: Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Formerly GLMV Chamber of Commerce, Formerly Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, State Leader - Vets for Freedom, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Art Institute of Chicago, Botanic Garden,Elected offices held: Chairman, Vernon Township Republican Party 2006-2012 Republican Precinct Committeeman 2006-2012Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Jobs Jobs Jobs! Illinois government must make needed reforms to foster an economic environment favorable to small business, the major job creation engine in Illinois. Reform Workman's Compensation program, Enact meaningful tort reform, cut state government spending, repeal Income tax increases, review and reform regulations to streamline business startup, operation, and growth.Key Issue 2 Fiscal Reform to truly balance Illinois Budget. Stop the gimmick of deferring bill payment to future fiscal years to thwart Illinois Constitutional balanced budget requirement. .Key Issue 3 Repeal the 66% Personal Income Tax increase and 45% Corporate Income Tax increase.Questions 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?Every option must be on the table for discussion. For example: Restore administrative accountability of pension decision makers to voters at all levels of government. Give existing public employees option of switching to defined-contribution retirement plans. Switch new and recently hired employees to defined-contribution plans. Limit automatic pension increases for existing pension retirees, require all current retirees to pay a portion of their health insurance costs, raise retirement age,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?Conduct Forensic Audit of Illinois spending to identify unnecessary spending, Establish zero-based budgeting of state programs, Eliminate programs that duplicate or conflict with other programs, Eliminate special fund sweeps that thwart expressed will of taxpayers, Cut fraud waste and abuse, Reform Medicaid, Cut government services, limit education funding increases, Enact the Illinois Policy Institute's Economic Reform Agenda, which consists of four common-sense proposals (PAYGO, 3/5 supermajority requirement for tax increases, Sunshine Act, and Stimulus Watch Act) that address the root causes of Illinois's fiscal and economic crisis, Pay down Illinois past-due bill backlog, I generally oppose gambling expansion. I oppose Casino expansion in my district on economic and moral grounds.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?Reduce regulatory and tax burdens on businesses, Provide necessary transportation and infrastructure improvements, stabilize Illinois government fiscal outlook, . I oppose government picking winners and losers by providing preferential tax breaks to specific businesses. Small businesses offer greatrer potential for job creation.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.The current Illinois campaign finance laws unfairly allow unlimited contributions by General Assembly leaders. Courts have struck down similar laws in other states. It would be premature to decide on whom to support for my party's caucus leader until after the November election. I oppose campaign contribution limits on constitutional grounds, but favor timely reporting of campaign finances.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 believe in the traditional definition of civil marriage as between one man and one woman. I oppose legalization of gay marriage. I oppose the practice of voting on controversial issues by lame duck sessions that are often conducted without regard to normal rules of order. Illinois must legally recognize the scientific fact that life begins at conception. If an unborn child is not alive, why have it killed? I support concealed carry in Illinois. The U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution, and laws of 49 other states are not wrong. I support restoration of the death penalty for certain violent crimes.