Tim Schmitz: 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: BataviaWebsite: http://www.timschmitz.orgOffice sought: 65th District RepresentativeAge: 46Family: Wife, Julianne. Two Sons, Alex (20 years old) and Ryan (17 years old)Occupation: Paid-on-call Firefighter and EMTEducation: High School: Batavia High School College: Augustana Major: Public Administration/Political ScienceCivic involvement: Batavia Plan Commission Policy Analyst for IL House of Representatives Past Member of Batavia Rotary Current member multiple Chambers of Commerce Past Board member for American Red CrossElected offices held: Batavia Alderman, 3rd Ward, 1995-1999Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Fair and comprehensive pension reforms for all five of the State's pension systems. We can not keep pushing this issue off year after year.Key Issue 2 Illinois must do more to attract and retain businesses. Our regulations and taxes are so regressive, outside businesses don't want to take a chance with our state and current owners don't want to hire additional employees. And, the fact is, we have some of the most diverse and skilled workers in the nation. Many of whom are still unemployed or underemployed.Key Issue 3 I will continue to support budgets that help pay down the State's backlog of unpaid bills without turning to the taxpayers for more of their hard earned dollars.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?I believe a multi-faceted approach is needed. I was a chief co-sponsor of SB512. I feel that that Bill gave a great framework of the type of reform(s) needed to sustain the pension system and to pay down the unfunded liability. I do not support the current idea that the local districts will receive the burden and the savings to the State will go into the General Revenue Fund. If this were to happen, the system would only experience a cost shift to local property tax payers and there will be no reform in the underlying pension system. It's not my decision the timing of if/when a Bill will be called. I'm ready to vote on pension reform at anytime. I'm not sold that this is a partisian issue. Many suburban democrats do not approve of the cost shift as well as downstate members. At this time, it appears the Speaker is in control of the issue and has refused to negotiate any reform Bill.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?As we have done in the past two sessions, we have reviewed line item by line item and made the cuts. This last budget included major reforms to the medicaid system which will help in the upcoming years. Pension reform must also be a part of the budget equation. I have not supported gaming expansion bills. I have not supported slots at racetracks. I have not supported adding casinos in Illinois.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?As I have said in the past, Illinois must have a job environment where employers want to locate and expand. We would not be in the "business" of granting tax breaks if our economic environment was not as anti-employer as it currently is. Our long list of regulations, taxes and workers comp laws make this a very difficult State to promote.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.Yes, I favor limiting how much party leaders can give candidates during an election. I support Tom Cross as Speaker. I support campaign contribution limits and have voted for them in the past.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 oppose civil unions and gay marriage. I believe that life begins at conception. I support concealed carry. I support the death penalty and would like to see it reinstated.