advertisement

Dan Ugaste: Candidate Profile

65th District Representative (Republican)

Back to 65th 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: GenevaWebsite: www.ugaste.comOffice sought: 65th District Representative Age: 50Family: I have been married to Denise for 26 years and have three daughters, Tonia (husband Vince), Alysa (husband Andrew) and Jennifer. I regularly attend St Athanasios Church.Occupation: Vice-President â#128;#148; Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie Lowry -- Law FirmEducation: Education/Degrees Lake Forest High School 1981Lake Forest College â#128;#148; B.A. 1985DePaul University College of Law â#128;#148; J.D. 1988Civic involvement: Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association, Past PresidentIllinois State Bar Association, Past Section Council MemberVolunteer Firefighter, Football CoachPTO and Church VolunteerLake Forest College, Alumni BoardElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: I have never been arrested or convicted of a crime.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?As an attorney with three children, I have seen first-hand how deeply the policies implemented by our State's leadership impacts our daily lives. I want to bring renewed focus on job creation and economic stability while reprioritizing our state spending.I am motivated by the fact that too many businesses, large and small, are either closing their doors, moving to other states or are deciding not to locate here because the tax burden on individuals and business is simply too great and the focus of state government has been far too one-sided in favor of labor. Illinois is one of the most over-taxed states in America and this needs to stop. We must focus on growing revenue by income creation and job creation, which begins by implementing pro-business fiscal policies that encourage business growth.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I have always been committed to the community while trying to make a difference. As a volunteer, I have contributed my time and effort to help make a difference in the lives of others. Also, as an attorney who has represented businesses for the last 25 years, I have a greater understanding of what business needs from state government and the ability to move Illinois in the right direction - attracting business and creating jobs. Finally, I understand that serving as a State Representative is about public service. Therefore, I have self-imposed term limits on myself as I am not seeking to be a career politician. The Illinois General Assembly was initially designed to be made up of individuals who worked in other fields, so they could bring a range of ideas, experiences and knowledge to help make Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family. Currently, the General Assembly seems to be made up of career politicians who are elected to the State House or State Senate and fight to stay until they die or run for a higher public office. Our state and economy can only begin to change if we change the people running government.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 support the expiration of the 67% tax increase, which never should have been passed in the first place. Our state's leaders implemented this with the promise it would expire, and I believe that it should. With careful planning around the recent pension reforms, the further cost savings from Medicaid reform, revenue growth caused by these actions and other cost saving measures, I believe we can achieve a balanced budget after this tax increase expires.Please outline your views on public pensions in Illinois.I don't believe the bill went far enough and the system is still underfunded and unsustainable, however, it's a step in the right direction.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 believe conceal carry was long overdue because our old guns laws restricted the rights of law abiding and well trained citizens, particularly veterans, from possessing firearms while criminals seemed to publicly carry with impunity. I believe conceal carry will make Illinois safer, not less safe, and provides greater ability for law abiding citizens to protect themselves, their families and their property. I support the 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms and do not believe the Illinois General Assembly should infringe that right.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 do not support any expansion of gambling in Illinois. I believe in creating real economic development through a job creating pro-business economy.On what issues would you would break with your party, or have you broken with your party, and why?Every bill and every issue will be judged on its merits with the criteria for the decision being the needs of my district, the benefit to the state, and my assessment of the need for change by the voters who have entrusted me to use my best judgment. While, I believe that my positions will align with the party most of the time, there may be times I will vote otherwise, but the party is not the overriding concern.What is your position on limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during a general election?I would support a new law to limit contributions from funds of all legislative leaders to candidates.If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus? Why or why not?Jim Durkin just got the job and deserves to have a chance to prove that he is the best person for the job. Unlike the House Democrats who blindly re-elect Mike Madigan, the Republicans nominated Jim Durkin because they believe he has the ability to change the legislative process and the political landscape for the betterment of all of Illinois. I will do my best to help him move Illinois forward, but will not hesitate to seek a new leader if he does not make progress.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?These tax breaks reflect the sad state of the business climate in Illinois. This state should not have to rely on legislatively created incentives for select employers. These tax breaks demonstrate Illinois' inability to attract and retain business simply on its competitiveness, despite standing above most other states in every category except government treatment of business. I do support across the board tax incentives available to every class of business, like the EDGE credits.Do you favor changing how Illinois sets new legislative district maps every 10 years? If so how?Redistricting needs to be removed from the politically biased legislative process and placed in the hands of a bipartisan or non-partisan commission.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I was a volunteer firefighter in high school. During that time I was featured in a Chicago newspaper after helping put out a fire at a golf course clubhouse. The fire was the largest fire I fought during my time as a volunteer fire fighter.