Debbie Miller: Candidate Profile

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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: ElginWebsite: www.electdebbiemiller.comOffice sought: 65th District Representative Age: 59Family: Small Business Owner, Married to Jim for 29 years, mother of 3 Sons, Ryan, Corey and Jamie and Grandmother of 4.Occupation: Small Business OwnerEducation: Liberal Arts Degree with High Honors, Elgin Community CollegeCivic involvement: Volunteer, Elgin Junior Service BoardVolunteer, Read to Rover Program at Gail Borden Library Volunteer, Little AngelsMember of League of Women VotersAmbassador with Elgin Area ChamberPast Volunteer, Therapy Dog Program at St. Joseph Hospital Former President and Vice-President Hillcrest School PTHElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I am running for office because I am tired of the corruption in Illinois government and the condition of Illinois's economy.The three most important issues that are most critical at this time are: 1) to work toward an environment that allows Illinois to be the best state in the nation for businesses to thrive so there is plenty of job competition which will naturally raise wages so people can support themselves and their families, 2) make sure Illinois has the best schools, community colleges and universities and also trade and vocational schools so we have the best employees in the nation to attract the best businesses, especially manufacturers and 3) to pass a State Constitutional Amendment that institutes term limits for the Governor and both chambers of the General Assembly to help stop the government corruption in Illinois.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?Both of my opponents are Geneva attorneys whose campaigns at present are almost entirely funded by other attorneys. I am a small business owner who has also previously been an employee in several areas of the business sector, real estate, health care, school district, architecture, phone service provider, etc. and I was also a member of two different Illinois unions so I have a unique history regarding different aspects of the business sector over my opponents. There are 25 attorneys already in the General Assembly besides our Governor who is also an attorney. Two of the four previous Illinois governors sent to prison were attorneys. We need more people in the General Assembly who have no ties to special interests.Would you vote to make Illinois' temporary income tax hike permanent before it expires in January 2015? If not, how will you replace the billions of dollars the tax hike brought in, or what cuts would you make?No, I would not vote to make the temporary tax permanent for several reasons. The General Assembly needs to put policies in place to create a more business friendly state and then promote the new business friendly Illinois environment to businesses around the world. This and providing the education necessary to have the best employees will provide plenty of jobs for the people of Illinois which will lower the social service portion of Illinois' budget and more jobs will mean more people paying their fair share of the taxes needed to run our great state. This combined with balancing the budget will allow Illinois to keep income taxes low.Please outline your views on public pensions in Illinois.I believe Illinois may need to move to a defined contribution plan for all new employees and newly elected officials like most businesses have done. The pension problem not only involves those who were promised a pension but it also involves the people of Illinois who have to pay the bill. It is important to take all stakeholders needs into consideration before any changes are made. And since pensions are a part of the State Constitution the requirements as decided by the Supreme Court must also be taken into consideration.What changes would you make to the state's new concealed carry law, if any? Would you change the number of exempted places where people cannot carry? In what way? Would you change the training requirements? In what way? Do you support restricting assault weapons? High-capacity magazines?I would want to add that people who are prescribed mind-altering prescription anti-psychotic drugs be prohibited from purchasing a gun, having access to a gun, obtaining a license for conceal and carry of a handgun and also not be permitted to carry a FOID card.Conceal and carry should be allowed at public gatherings, public transportation, public parks, Cook County Forest Preserves and other public places. Every law abiding citizen should always have their inalienable right to protect themselves and their loved ones no matter where they are. Gun training is very important and Illinois already has the strongest education requirements compared to all the other states in the US. I would support keeping strong educational requirements for conceal and carry of handguns. I would not support restricting assault weapons, assault weapons is a broad term that has not been clearly defined. All weapons in Illinois that most people consider assault weapons have the same capability as hunting rifles.I believe strongly in the Second Amendment which gives every person the inalienable right to keep and bear arms, this inalienable right was not only protected by the Constitution to allow each of us to protect ourselves and our loved ones but one of the biggest reasons the founding fathers wanted it protected by the Constitution was for the people to be able to protect themselves from tyranny in the US. This is supported by the writings of James Madison considered to be the father of the Constitution.Which of the following do you support: New casinos, slot machines at horse racing tracks, gambling on the Internet? Would you approve legislation that includes all of the above in order to compromise and get the parts that you want?I really don't believe in gambling personally but at the same time I believe people should have the choice to gamble if they so choose. I would carefully research how these different forms of gambling would affect all aspects of Illinois's economy and the people of Illinois and make my decisions accordingly.On what issues would you would break with your party, or have you broken with your party, and why?None that I know of at this time.What is your position on limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during a general election?I am not prepared to answer this question at this time, I need more time to research this topic.If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus? Why or why not?I am not prepared to answer this question at this time. I do not know the leader so until I meet him and know more about him I do not have an answer at this time.What is your view of the tax breaks granted to companies like Motorola Mobility, Navistar and Sears, and should state tax breaks be given to companies moving from one Illinois municipality to another?The decision to give tax breaks to businesses must be based on how these tax breaks will impact the people of Illinois. If these tax breaks bring more jobs with living wages and benefits to the people of Illinois I would support them.Do you favor changing how Illinois sets new legislative district maps every 10 years? If so how?Yes, by requiring that legislative district maps are created by a non-partisan committee. New legislative district maps must be created based on how it affects the people of Illinois. But let's be honest when it comes down to it whatever party has the majority in the General Assembly will ultimately decide how the legislative district maps end up.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?My family has been in Illinois for the last 6 generations and my loyalty to Illinois is second to none. I am a small business owner, mother, housewife, grandmother and community volunteer and I am honored and humbled to serve the people of Illinois. I have absolutely no special interests and will serve all the people of Illinois equally.