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64th District Representative Wheeler: Candidate Profile

64th District Representative (Republican)

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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: Crystal LakeWebsite: BarbaraWheeler64.comOffice sought: 64th District Representative Age: 46Family: Husband, Joe 5 childrenOccupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: BS Loyola University MA National Louis UniversityCivic involvement: Volunteer at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Crystal Lake Nunda Township Republican CommitteemanElected offices held: McHenry County Board Member, 2002-2010Have 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 support term limits. Much of the problem of Springfield exists because of the lifelong opportunists who call themselves politicians. We are elected to create policy that promotes and enhances the life of the citizens of IL. Get in. Get it done. And Get out. Unfortunately, Illinois has become a culture of many who serve up policy that benefits themselves. Very few stay in for the right reason, Leader Jim Durkin is one of those exceptions. In the short time that he has led our caucus, there have been many changes and progressions. I am proud to support him.If 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?The pension situation is truly causing financial crisis to this state. It is the unfortunate truth that to reform it, it will have to be a shared sacrifice. This unguarded candor makes many unhappy, but Illinois has created this situation by trying to appease the many. It is time to truthful and do what needs to be done. There are continual conversations about a cost shift. This would be devastating to District 64 because we already have some of the highest property taxes in the county. If imminent, I would hope that true education financing reforms are included.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.I do not support the Tax Extension. I believe that when individuals and businesses are taxed less, they will spend more. Creating more opportunities for jobs and future spending....providing more revenue for the government. I hold the economic belief that if government taxes more, people and businesses spend less. The State of Illinois doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem.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?The Pension Crisis is destroying the state's ability to properly use revenue towards government services. Reforming the pension system is a must. The Medicaid Program is necessary for individuals and families who are in need of a safety net; unfortunately it has become a program of abuse and fraud. Illinois spends 38% of the revenue on pensions and Medicaid. Both these programs need comprehensive reform that can bring financial stability to the state's fiscal crisis.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?As a member of the Education Committee, I would vote to allow local school boards and administrations the opportunity to opt out of programs that are too costly or inapplicable to the area. Part of the cost and disconnect of our schools is due to the lack of accountability to our elected school boards. I believe that changing the date of school board elections to the November General Election, it will provide more information and engage the voter.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The greatest concern that overwhelms the citizens of District 64 is property taxes. Over 70% of our property tax bill goes to the schools. The state cannot demand more taxes from us, we have to create a better system that ensures our good schools, provides opportunities for growth and for jobs. The state is severely lagging behind other states in the Midwest, yet we have some of the highest taxes in the region. It is time to apply a different economic philosophy. Rather than tax more, spend more Illinois, let's try a new system, TAX LESS, SPEND LESS.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Leave the world a better place than how you first found it.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have studied harder in school.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?GovernmentIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Love your mother.