Sandra M Pihos: 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: www.electsandrapihos.comOffice sought: 48th District Representative Age: 67Family: Spouse:Bill Children: Andria, Peter, Deanna, Michael (deceased) Grandchildren: Kosta, Markos, MichelaOccupation: State RepresentativeEducation: Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, Illinois)Master of Science in Secondary Education, Guidance and Counseling (1971)Mount Union College (Alliance, Ohio)Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude (1968)Civic involvement: Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, Ex-Officio Board Member (2012)Connection of Friends , Board Member (2012)Illinois Alzheimer Legislators Alliance (2012), Co-Founder and MemberAmerican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) (2011-2012)CORE Leadership Team (2010-2011)FORWARD for DuPage County (2010-2012) Giant Steps Illinois, Inc. Honorary Board Member (2009 -- present)Women in Government Illinois State Director (2012-2014)Conference of Women Legislators (COWL), Co-Chair (2009-2011)Illinois/Faculty in Residence-University of Illinois-ChicagoPartnership for Educational Progress Foundation, School Districts 15, 16, 41, 44, 87, 89 and 93, Secretary (1996--2003), Trustee (1993--present)Family Shelter Service, Advisory Board (2004-Present)DuPage Regional Leadership Council of the American Cancer SocietyBoard Member (2003--Present)Advocacy Strategy Team Member (2004--2009)NAMI, National Alliance for Mental Illness-Honorary Advisory Board MemberHeartland AllianceLeadership IllinoisAmerican Lung Association of Metropolitan ChicagoGlen Ellyn Library Board Advisory Committee, Member (1990--1991)Glenbard Enrollment Advisory Committee, Member (1991--1992)Glen Ellyn Lifelong Learning Partnership, Secretary (1992--1994)Glenbard Township District 87 School Board, President (2001--2003), Vice President (1997--2001), Member (1993--2003)Elected offices held: Glenbard Township High School District 87 (1993 - 2003)Member and PresidentPrecinct Committeeman Milton 83 (2005 - 2009)Have 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?It is no secret that Illinois government is simply not working. The political hierarchy is entrenched in gridlock, unwilling to work together for the common good and put sound public policy based on best practices before politics. We need an honest discussion centered on how to restore Illinois to prominence.My background, community involvement and civic leadership has given me the experience to represent this district in Springfield. As a committed public servant, former educator (elementary, middle school, special education, gifted education and guidance counselor), member and president of the Glenbard Township District 87 High School Board, small business owner of a restaurant management firm, wife, mother of four children, caregiver and grandmother of three, I believe I have a unique set of experiences and can be part of the solution to the challenges we face. I have experienced firsthand how the policies implemented by our State's leaders have profoundly impacted Illinoisans' daily lives. While I don't have all the answers to the issues confronting our state, the problems must be prioritized and resolved with viable solutions, both in the district and the state at large, rather than postponing them into the future only to exacerbate them.House District 48 is a melting pot of individuals and families of all races, religions, ages and ethnic groups and my constant outreach to the constituents I serve keeps me in touch with their needs and desired outcomes. I will continue to focus on fiscal stability, education, workforce development, job creation, reprioritizing our state spending on shared goals. I want to create the healthiest community possible to allow our families to grow and prosper.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I am a fiscal conservative who understands the current budget crisis is a critical issue for our state legislature; we must exercise fiscal prudence by focusing on our core priorities. Considering the tremendous fiscal challenges the legislature will encounter over the next two years, I believe the constituents in District 48 need to make sure that the person who represents them is a visionary who has demonstrated results to get things done. As a Republican, under a Democratic majority, it takes someone who has developed a working relationship with members of both parties to pass meaningful legislation. I would reference people to my campaign website, www.electsandrapihos.com, to review my legislation, which is one of the best criteria to evaluate a legislator's effectiveness. Over the years I have worked hard to development good relationships and the respect and trust of the people with whom I work. As a legislator I have tried to bring a style of decision making that is based on community outreach and involvement, as well as through research and an in-depth understanding of the issues at hand. It is my responsibility to work hard and be accountable to the families I serve, representing them with a clear and consistent voice. I am straight forward and very accessible to those I serve. I encourage my public to contact me and share their knowledge and expertise. This education is critical to my ability to make wise and prudent decisions.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?I do not support a tax increase of any kind. A tax increase will further burden an already struggling economy. When our state's leaders implemented the 67% percent tax increase there was a promise made that it was temporary and would expire. Instead the state must exercise fiscal prudence in establishing our spending priorities. In approaching spending reductions, I would suggest three strategies consistent with my long-term goals for government in Illinois. First, we must fund programs based on level of importance and effectiveness. Second, we must make government transparent and accountable, by cutting member "pet" projects and spending that is not focused on vital government services or educational needs. Third, we must encourage increased cooperation between the legislative and the executive branches. This will allow us to spread the cuts over the breath of programs, while preserving essential services and eliminating duplicative functions. Illinois has some of the brightest economic minds in the country. We should invite these experts to the table and have them study and analyze our current tax structure and the use of these tax dollars. Maybe we haven't done that because of what they might discover and what our leadership does not want to know.Illinois clearly has a spending problem and we must address the out of control spending and bureaucratic institutions that Springfield props up year after year on the backs of the hardworking people of this great state. Reigning in spending while creating an environment for the citizens of Illinois to prosper will begin the cure for our budget crisis. I will continue to be the voice that reminds Springfield's leadership that the stronger economic base we build, the more viable the economic strength of the state will be.Please outline your views on public pensions in Illinois.After years of negotiations and contested debates in Springfield, the General Assembly approved a pension reform proposal. This plan was passed by the narrowest of margins in both chambers and has already been signed into law. I have sponsored and supported numerous bills aimed at stabilizing our pension systems and fully understand the consequences of inaction; however, I could not in good conscience support this legislation.While the legislative leaders finished writing this bill over the weekend, two days before it was passed, other members of the General Assembly, and most importantly, the public, were not given the actual text of the pension bill until late Sunday evening. For me, reading the 325-page legislation was NOT a challenge, but having the time to diligently vet it was. According to the legislative leaders, Senate Bill 1, as amended by the conference committee, is guesstimated to reduce future expenses to taxpayers by $160 billion over the next 30 years. Unfortunately, the Center on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA), the state agency who provides the Legislature with top-of-the-line research and information on budget projections, was not granted the opportunity to validate these projected savings.Instead, when asked during the bill's formal debate on the House floor if CGFA could verify the numbers before the vote, the answer was that if the actual savings from the bill varied from the projected savings, the General Assembly could go back and take corrective action. To me, this information from CGFA is a highly critical factor in making sure that this bill is not just â#128;~smoke and mirrors'. With the demonstrated history of the state in regards to providing credible information, it was essential for me to receive unbiased forecasts before casting a vote on such a crucial issue.Although the enactment of SB 1 could very well help the state stabilize its financial image, the ability to implement these changes may be delayed as interested parties subject the constitutionality of the new law to further litigation and the pension obligation grows.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?The implementation of the state's first concealed and carry law in underway. I did support this legislation, but think that if any unintended consequences surface, legislators must be prepared to address them with immediate action.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 would not support an expansion of gambling in Illinois.On what issues would you would break with your party, or have you broken with your party, and why?As State Representative I am committed to representing the constituents in the community I serve. Illinois is a very diverse state and finding common ground is not always possible within either party. I will always perform my due diligence, seek community input and listen to the debate when making a decision. I strongly feel that I am responsible for explaining the decisions I make to the public.What is your position on limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during a general election?I strongly support legislation that limits the contribution of party leaders.If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus? Why or why not?I will support Jim Durkin as Republican Leader. Leader Durkin is committed to forwarding a pro-business, pro-job agenda.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?My priority is to make Illinois a sought after state for job creators by reducing the cost of doing business, reducing the over burden of current regulations and overhauling the business tax structure to make it more viable for businesses to operate in Illinois. We need a fair system when evaluating tax breaks. Legislators and the business community should continue to discuss and scrutinize how we move forward with to make our programs and incentives effective and fair. The economic incentive process needs to be redesigned so that we create realistic goals and a stringent standard for the returns on our investments. The bottom line is that Illinois needs a business friendly environment that does not limit their ability to provide job opportunities and career growth for our hardworking people. We need to assure that there is the benefit for tax breaks for smaller businesses, as well, which are currently the largest job creators. Above all we need to remove the politics from the process.Do you favor changing how Illinois sets new legislative district maps every 10 years? If so how?Redistricting needs to be taken out of the hand of the politicians. I strongly support the Fair Map initiative. I believe we should develop and implement a truly bipartisan process to draw future maps. Legislative maps should be about fairness based on population and not drawn to favor political party preference. It is obvious the current system is not working and undermines the intended democratic process, thus disenfranchising the voters.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I am passionate and fully committed to serving my constituents and view the upcoming campaign as an opportunity to continue discussing actionable strategies for reigniting Illinois' economic engine and improving the quality of life for all residents. With the support of the community I will continue to work hard for my constituents.