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GOP incumbent holds big money lead in 64th House race

If Democrat Joel Mains tops Republican state Rep. Barbara Wheeler in next month's election, it won't be because of his campaign's deep pockets.

Illinois State Board of Elections records show Wheeler had $22,363 in available campaign funds as of Sept. 30. Mains as of Wednesday had yet to exceed the $3,000 threshold for campaign contributions or expenses that requires him to file disclosure papers with the state election agency.

"Realistically, I knew coming in this is going to be an uphill battle," Mains said Wednesday.

He and Wheeler are running in House District 64. The district's territory in McHenry and Lake counties includes Crystal Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Johnsburg, Bull Valley, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake.

Mains is a firefighter/paramedic seeking elected office for the first time, while Wheeler served eight years on the McHenry County Board before being voted into the General Assembly in 2012.

Campaign financial disclosure documents show that among the contributions to Wheeler's campaign was a combined $7,500 this month from the Illinois State Medical Society Political Action Committee, Ameren Corp. and other entities.

She said it took a while for her to reach a point where businesses and individuals believed her state representative effort was worthy of financial support. Despite her sizable cash advantage over Mains, she said she won't take anything for granted.

"It is not a surprise he (Mains) doesn't have a lot of money right now," Wheeler said. "He's independent of (House Speaker) Michael Madigan. I really like the man."

Mains said he has about $2,500, most of which came from the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois union. He said he's been doing a lot of door-to-door campaigning in an attempt to defeat an opponent who has name recognition in a Republican-leaning district.

On the issues, Mains and Wheeler disagree about raising the state's minimum wage from $8.25 an hour. Gov. Pat Quinn has suggested the minimum pay should be at least $10 an hour, saying the extra income would trickle down to boost local economies.

Wheeler said she's against boosting the minimum wage, contending that an improved state economy would allow businesses to make more money and raise employee pay on their own.

Mains said he favors increasing the minimum because someone who works a full-time job deserves enough money to pay for food, clothing and shelter.

They also differ on whether the 2011 state income tax increase should be extended or made permanent. The state's 5 percent tax rate is scheduled to revert to 3.75 percent at year's end.

Wheeler said state government has a spending problem, and that the 5 percent income tax rate shouldn't continue. Mains said expiration should be revisited, and that he'd support a statewide referendum on whether to have a constitutional amendment to enact a graduated income tax.

House District 64 state representative candidates differ on minimum wage, income tax

Barbara Wheeler
Joel Mains
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