Secretary of state Webster: 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: HinsdaleWebsite: www.websterforillinois.netOffice sought: Secretary of state Age: 54Family: Wife - Sandy Children (all Daughters!) Cassie - 20; Emma - 17; Nikki -16; Tessa - 16Occupation: Attorney/CPAEducation: BS - Accounting - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign JD - DePaul University of Law, Chicago, ILCivic involvement: Cass School District 63, Darien, IL Board of Education President, May 2007 to Present Vice President, May 2005-April 2007Elected offices held: Board of Education - First Elected 2005, re-elected 2009 2013Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Questions Answers How would you streamline your office's duties to save the state money?Enhancing technology would be a primary focus. In many states, online services extend to creating one-stop-shopping for entrepreneurs and job creators. The Department of Business Services can promote job growth in Illinois. My campaign's review of the organizational structure of the 22 Departments of the Secretary of State's Office has disclosed many redundancies. There are several immediate opportunities to reduce waste and unnecessary spending by reduction in staff and reallocating resources.What is something the office could be doing now that it isn't?Secretaries of State across the nation â#128;#147; Republicans and Democrats â#128;#147; have begun taking the lead in leveraging their offices to promote job growth and good government. Theyâ#128;™re establishing robust councils that are helping put laws and regulations in place that foster growth, and they are making it easier for good companies to comply with the law. They are shining a spotlight on lobbying abuse, and they are using the business data they collect to help policymakers understand how to attract jobs. This is not currently being done in Illinois.What in your background makes you qualified for a specialized office like this?I am a business owner, an attorney, a CPA. I am not a Springfield insider. I am not a career politician. I am not beholden to the Springfield powerbrokers or lobbyists. As a practicing attorney/CPA I utilize the Department of Business services almost on a daily basis. I see from the outside looking in what is in need of fixing. I will bring a fresh set of eyes and perspective to an Office that has been run by the same person for the last 16 years.What should Illinois be doing to make the roads safer?Traffic safety will be a top priority. Changes and improvements to the mandatory insurance laws will be at the top of the list. This area has not been addressed since its implementation. Driver education on motorcycle safety training, the importance of using seat belts and the continuing effort to curb drunk driving will be a high priority. Training and qualification for CDL driver's licenses will be remain in Illinois and not outsourced. The enforcement of the existing laws will be enhanced. No more looking the other way. The Rules of the Road will apply to every driver.Should license, license plate and other fees be raised to pay for infrastructure upgrades?No. Driver's fees and license fees have been on a steady increase under the current Secretary. The people of Illinois are taxes enough already. The Legislature raises the fees, not the Secretary of State. User fees, in theory, place the burden on the people using the service. But increasing user fees is the most regressive form of taxation there is. This tax and spend mentality in Springfield has to stop. I would like to improve the efficiency of the Office of the Secretary of State so we could decrease the license fees.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The inefficiencies in the Department of Business Services as well as the â#128;œuser unfriendlinessâ#128;ť is a great frustration to businesses that utilize the office. The technology of the Department of Business Services and the Service to Motorists is extremely behind the times. I intend to make the experience of utilizing the Office of the Secretary of State a good experience for the citizens of Illinois and not be looked upon similar to a trip to dentist! I will improve the customer service and technology of the office immediately.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Senator Mark Kirk. I've gotten to know the Senator during my campaign. He's a fighter, regardless of the adversity. He commands respect.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Service. I was one of 6 children. My parents always told us it was our duty to help others, inside and outside of the home.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have continued piano lessons. I stopped taking lessons to join the band. The French Horn didn't stick. I love piano music.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. I loved numbers. I became a CPA/Tax Attorney/Business Advisor. The economics are always a part of any issue. The numbers never lie.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Have a positive attitude and follow your heart. If you really believe you can do/accomplish something, you are more than half way there!