48th District Representative Tomlinson: Candidate Profile

Back to 48th District Representative

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:BioQA Bio City: Glen EllynWebsite: marianfor48.orgOffice sought: 48th District Representative Age: 76Family: husband, 3 daughters, 6 sons, 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildrenOccupation: retiredEducation: BA Rutgers University with honorsCivic involvement: PADS volunteer Northwestern University Bluhm Law Clinic - Center on Wrongful Conviction, Jane Biebur Abramson volunteer of the year 2009 current residence listed on National Registry of Historical Places in 2009 as the George Baker HouseElected offices held: Chair, Democratic Party of Milton TownshipHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noQuestions Answers How will you work to make the General Assembly function more productively and effectively? Wlll you vote to retain your party's current legislative leader? In what specific ways do you support changing how government in Springfield works?I am a moderate. I will work with members of all parties to find common ground to break the gridlockIf the Supreme Court, strikes down the SB 1 pension reform, what is your Plan B and why do you think it would be both legal and effective?Get all parties together and look at the realities to forge a compromise that will both sides can agree to. Keep voters informed on the options, the issues, and seek their input. If all are in agreement that the change must be made, the issue of legality can be worked out.As it stands now, the 2011 income tax increase will expire as planned on Jan. 1. Do you think that expiration should be reconsidered? Would you support making the increase permanent or extending it for some period of time? Please be specific about what level of tax increase, if any, you would support.In talking with the voters about this, they have indicated that most favor reconsidering it.Do you support cuts in state spending? If so, what specifically do you suggest cutting and how will those cuts be sufficient to restore the state's financial health and economic climate?Cost cuts sound good on paper but are hard to identify. Redirection is a better alternative. For example, funding for pre-school education will pay off in reduced costs later on for costs like remedial education. A perspective that looks at the larger picture of spending will enable reducing ineffective programs, and adding programs that ultimately cut cost.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education? Would you support the the so-called pension cost-shift to local schools?Shifting costs to local schools may cut the state budget but overall represents no savings, and is particularly hard on smaller communities.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Voter involvement in decision making is essential to support for the programs funded by our taxes. We, as their representatives need to find better ways to listen to them. The internet should be utilized more in opinion-gathering, and legislators should listen to their constituents. This is a two-way communication, and I intend to use the tools of modern technology to reach out to the voters, both for their opinions and suggestions, and to keep them informed on the issues.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice InitiativeWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The purpose of my life is service to my fellow humans.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would get involved in public service earlier.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite, and it has given me a longer perspective on the issues currently facing the world.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?think history-long and world-wide, and never forget that what you do affects humankind