Keith Wheeler: 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: OswegoWebsite: www.keithwheeler.netOffice sought: 50th District Representative Age: 47Family: I am married to Lisa and have two amazing stepsons Matthew (16) and Chad (14) as well as a wonderful daughter Ava (3)Occupation: Small Business OwnerEducation: B.A. in Economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignCivic involvement: Kendall County Food Pantry Board Chairman Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Past Chairman NFIB Illinois Leadership Council Chairman NFIB Fox Valley Area Action Council Chairman Oswego Bears Youth Tackle Football and Cheer Board Treasurer District 308 Teaching and Learning Advisory CommitteeElected offices held: Kendall County Republican Central Committee Chairman Bristol 5 Republican Precinct Committeeman Bristol Township Trustee (appointed)Questions 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 currently little reason for the Democrats in Springfield to work with the Republicans due to the Democrats' massive majorities in both chambers along with Governor Quinn. The first step to improve the current General Assembly is to give both sides a reason to work together. Elect a Republican governor and add one more House Republican and the Democrats can't override vetoes unilaterally. I like Jim Durkin, but I will evaluate leadership options after the election. I support term limits on party leadership and campaign finance reform that doesn't put so much power in the four leaders' hands.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?Plan B will be to review the actual legal opinion of the Supreme Court as to why the Court struck down the current law and prepare new reforms that fit within that approach. Ultimately, moving Illinois government toward a defined contribution approach is the solution and will do three important things: 1. Provide certainty for retirees 2. Give Illinois taxpayers a fair, sustainable, defined cost 3. Allow the state to fully fund the pensions as that funding won't be dependent on future investment returns, life expectancies or misguided borrowing from politicians.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.Absolutely not! For Illinois to succeed we need to become more competitive with other states in order to create jobs and grow our economy. We have the highest unemployment in the Midwest so we need to make Illinois more attractive to job creators. However, Illinois employers face high workers' compensation costs, high property taxes, high sales taxes, high liability costs, and more. A higher income tax is not part of the solution. Illinois doesn't have a revenue problem - we have a spending problem. Before any additional revenue sources are considered, we need to exhaust every available spending reform.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?Yes, cuts in state spending are inevitable. As has been suggested for years, a forensic audit of state spending is necessary in order to understand where we have fraud, waste, abuse and duplicative spending. One area in which we will find substantial fraud is within our Medicaid program. An audit by an outside firm did make real progress for taxpayers before it was halted over a technicality prior to completing its research.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 believe that the state should consider changes to the school funding formula and then provide full funding at that level so local school districts really know what to expect from Springfield. I support higher standards for students that are going on to college. In addition, I am a supporter of vocational training for those students who are not going to college. The pension cost-shift to local school districts would likely tax many families out of their homes. While it makes sense for the entity who creates the pension liability to actually pay it, pension reform needs to happen first.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We need to create more Illinois Jobs for Illinois Families! Families and employers are leaving Illinois at a frightening pace. Employers are finding that other states offer a more competitive business climate and they are moving the jobs that we desperately need out of Illinois. Families need jobs and they are finding better opportunities elsewhere. As a small business owner for 23 years, I have a clear understanding of how the policies in Springfield have had a significantly negative impact on families throughout the state.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Maria Spaeth at the Kendall County Food PantryWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?While ward work and determination can overcome great obstacles, they are also great rewards of their own.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would like to have spent even more time with my grandparents while they were alive - so full of insight and laughter.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Chemistry, physics and advanced topics science weren't actually my favorite subjects, but were taught by my favorite teacher, Charles Potts, who taught me to learn.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow your dreams everyday despite what you will hear from people or see in the media Dream out loud and listen to your heart.