46th District Representative Conroy: Candidate Profile

Back to 46th 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: Villa ParkWebsite: www.VoteDebConroy.comOffice sought: 46th District Representative Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband, Tim, and four sons ages 28, 24, 19 and 17.Occupation: Full time state legislatorEducation: York Community High School. Courses at College of DuPage and Columbia College.Civic involvement: York Student Enrichment Team Co-Founder; former Religious Education teacher at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church; Elmhurst Childrenâ#128;™s Assistance Foundation Board Member (7 years); Cool Kiddie Cars charity event project manager (9 years)Elected offices held: District 205 School Board, 2007-2011. State Representative, 46th District, 2013-present.Have 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?There is enough partisan bickering in Springfield; I have looked past partisan differences to do what is best for the residents of my district and the state. I worked with my Democratic and Republican colleagues and County Board Chairman Dan Cronin to pass SB494 and allow DuPage County to consolidate 13 units of government to increase efficiency for taxpayers. We need to work together and be willing to reach across the aisle to better serve the people of Illinois. My focus right now is on representing my constituents. When the time comes, I will evaluate each candidate for leader.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?Regardless of the outcome of the pending court case, we have to do something to address the pension shortfall. The system is not sustainable without meaningful reform, especially as the stateâ#128;™s pension obligation grows each year. If any or all of it is overturned, I will work with stakeholders and my colleagues to find a solution that will allow us to make the system solvent, ensure retirement security for those who were promised it, and protect funding for critical state services.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 extension of the income tax increase. The income tax increase was passed in 2011 before I began to serve in the General Assembly. At the time, supporters indicated that the tax increase was to be temporary. I believe we should honor that promise to the State of Illinois and let the tax increase expire.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?State spending cuts are necessary if we are to pay down the debt and budget responsibly. Since I took office in 2013, we have paid down $3 billion in old bills. We have to budget line-by-line to hold agencies accountable and determine where we can enact cost saving measures while protecting funding for education and vital services for seniors. I supported pension reform measures to meaningfully reduce the stateâ#128;™s pension liability. Recently, I passed legislation to give DuPage County the ability to eliminate and consolidate government entities that are duplicative and wasteful; state government should do the same.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?I supported a state budget that prioritizes and increases K-12 funding. I realize that, while adequate funding is critical, quality education is not solely dependent on money. Providing support to educators and parents is critical to a childâ#128;™s success as well. I will continue meeting with my Education Citizens Advisory Committee to brainstorm new ways that we can work together to improve education. I absolutely do not support a pension cost shift, which would increase property taxes on homeowners already paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As I go door-to-door, I meet far too many people who are unemployed or underemployed. Creating good-paying jobs and putting people back to work are the best ways to support families and spur the economy. Like many, I am concerned about the financial state of Illinois and the debt we are leaving to our children. I am committed to responsible, transparent budgeting that includes significant annual debt repayment. Lastly, as a parent, I know that strong schools are the backbone to every community. I will continue collaborating with teachers, administrators, public officials and parents to improve opportunities for all students.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pastor Steve Swanson of St. Paul in Villa Park puts people first, looking beyond their differences to focus on what they have in common.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance of perseverance and hard work.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend just one more average day with my dad.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art; it taught me to look beyond the black and white and see the gray in things.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I always tell my kids that the most important thing is to live with integrity. Who you are is more important than what you do.