65th District Representative Andersson: 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: GenevaWebsite: www.steveanderssonforstaterep.comOffice sought: 65th District Representative Age: 50Family: My wife, Nanette and I have lived in Geneva for approximately 22 years. We have raised our two children, Matthew (22) and Sarah (20), through the Geneva Public School system.Occupation: Local Business Person and Attorney at LawEducation: Undergraduate Education: Political Science, Northern Illinois University, 1986. Graduate Education: Juris Doctorate Northern Illinois University, 1992, Magna Cum Laude.Civic involvement: I proudly served the community as a trustee and treasurer on the Geneva Library District Board and did so for approximately 5 years (serving 2 years as treasurer). I am a Republican precinct committeeman for Genevaâ#128;™s 3rd Precinct, and a member of the Assembly for the Illinois State Bar Association. In past years, I have also served on the advisory committee for Genevaâ#128;™s SPAC committee, the water rate study committee and the smoking task force committee. I was the President of the Kane County Bar Association in 2001-2002.Elected offices held: Trustee Geneva Library Board Treasurer Geneva Library Board Precinct Committeeman (Republican)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?I will find ways to work with all members of the General Assembly. I believe both sides of the aisle have much to contribute and if we can set aside labels and focus on our fiscal problems we can make real progress. I'm also looking forward to working with and supporting our leader Jim Durkin.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?I believe in keeping promises that were made. It does appear likely that SB1 may be stricken down. If so, changing the retirement benefits for retirees will not be an option. As such, we need to focus on future workers. We should create a new tier of compensation for new teachers that is more akin to a 401K program (defined contributions). While this does not solve all our current problems with the system, it will help to correct the pension system in the future.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.No, the "temporary" income tax increase should be allowed to expire. We need to make Illinois a pro-business state that encourages new jobs and economic growth. Higher taxes do not do that. Moreover, the legislature has not proven itself responsible with the tax dollars that it has been given to date. It makes no sense to entrust more of our tax dollars to an organization that is unable to manage those dollars. I would not support extending it for any period of time.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?I support reviewing all state spending and making no assumptions. No program should be exempt from a critical review. We should find and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse (There is a great deal of "fat" in the budget). Then, I would prioritize all programs from most effective to least effective based on their performance and whether they are cost effective. We would then rank them from best to worst and begin cutting or revising programs that do not perform or are too expensive. One area that will not be cut though is education, which is fundamental to our stateâ#128;™s success.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?The basic structure of education funding needs to be rethought in this state. The present system is too complicated, broken and treats students in an unfair and unbalanced way. It is rife with abuse and puts too much of a burden on local property taxes. I support a complete review of the system. I cannot support adding more of a burden on the local tax payers under the present system by shifting pension costs to local schools without more comprehensive reform.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The most important issue the state must deal with is the budget. We cannot attract new businesses (and retain existing businesses) if we cannot even keep our own house in order. Business and jobs will not stay if they cannot be certain that tax rates will remain low and stable and the infrastructure of the state will be maintained. This must be our first order of business. Too long have our leaders "kicked the can" on these issues. It simply cannot be ignored any longer. Tough choices need to be made, and I look forward to helping make them.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. He is a reformer who challenges the status quo and is bringing his church into a new age with compassion and humility.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To keep your word and tell the truth. You have nothing if people cannot trust your word.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I don't have one specific thing, but I would have tried to focus more on enjoying each moment of each day.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. As the saying goes, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." History always gives us perspective and guidance.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Choose a career that brings you joy. That way you never work a day in your life.