Valerie Burd: 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: YorkvilleWebsite: www.valerieburd.comOffice sought: 50th District Representative Age: 67Family: Husband - Paul Children - Paul of Darien, IL; Andrew of Atlanta, Georgia (wife Lorie + four children); Samantha Benesh, (PhD psychology, major US Army, husband Jason, Maryland; Emily Thomas, husband Jon (in Air Force), at Aviano Air Base, Italy; and Alex Burd, Yorkville.Occupation: Owner, Positive Media Solutions, Inc.Education: Bachelor of Science, Journalism, minor, political science, NIUCivic involvement: Member, Kendall County Health Dept.'s Environmental Advisory Committee; Member US Sen. Mark Kirk's Women's Advisory Board; Kendall County Public Guardian and Public Administrator; member Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce's Green Committee, Leads 1.Elected offices held: United City of Yorkville mayor (2007-2011); United City of Yorkville alderman (1998-2007).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?As someone who has never been closely tied to a party, my allegiance will be to my constituents' priorities. I will work with representatives from either side to try to solve problems. We can't make agreements upfront, then change them in back rooms. I would need to get to know who is running for party leadership before knowing if I would vote for or against anyone. I would try to form a coalition with like-minded representatives to get things accomplished.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?Sit all those with a stake down again at the table and this time, when you get an agreement, bring it to the floor. If the invested people approve it before hand, there won't be any lawsuits. I suggest making Illinois' pension plans mirror Social Security - no payouts until retirement at age 65, or disability. Also, no bumping up wages right before retirement to increase pay outs. As mayor, I saw instances of people retiring and then getting the same job somewhere else and pulling a full salary. Everyone needs to understand - there is only so much money.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 am not in favor of extending the tax. If we successfully tackle funding pensions, we can live on what we are currently taking in. When I was mayor, I attended a workshop where we were told that 70% of tax dollars go to pensions. That leaves only 30% to fund services, road improvements, and other state needs.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 think there is always waste in any budget, but the state has cut back on so much social service spending at a time when we are coming out of a deep recession. If we could fix the pension problem, I believe we could still meet funding for education, roads, etc. without more cuts.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 would like us to consider putting education funding on a graduated income tax and off of property taxes. This would provide immediate economic relief to middle and lower income families and while maintaining tax income to education. It also would spur economic development by lowering rental prices for office space and leases. I would not support pension cost-shifts to local schools; they are having a hard enough time funding education. But I would support legislation that would keep school boards from driving up pension payouts by raising salaries right before retirement for administrators, etc.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The high property taxes in Kendall and Kane counties. Kendall's is among the highest in the nation. As I mentioned above, lowering these taxes would act as a spur to draw businesses in to Illinois, and also keep retirees from wanting to leave the state. Education is 60% of my own tax bill. I would work to support veterans. Our current state representative has worked hard to support this, and I would continue her efforts. I would work to make Illinois a business-friendly state. One way - work to cut bureaucratic red tape and encourage municipalities to review zoning ordinances.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elizabeth Warren. She stands up for the people. She is trying to pass legislation that would address banking, student loan, and other issues.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Tell the truth, no matter if it hurts. A person's word has to mean something.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time with my children and encourage them more.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?American history and government. It educated me on what we have done before - what worked, what didn't. History does repeat itself.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Having things isn't what's important. The people in your life are what's important. Care for each other.