Allen Skillicorn: Candidate Profile

Back to 66th State House District

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: East DundeeWebsite: http://www.allenskillicorn.com/Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 66th State House District Age: 41Family: Allen grew up in Algonquin and now lives in East Dundee with his wife Heather and 5-year-old Doberman, McFly. Together they attend Fox Valley Church.Occupation: Director of Marketing for a local electronics manufacturer.Education: Associates from Elgin Community College, Graduate of Dundee Crown High SchoolCivic involvement: Vice-Chairman of the Kane County Republican Party, Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Illinois, Liberty Leader for the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois Rifle Association, former board member of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce, Sports Car Club of America, and volunteer for Therapy Dogs, Inc.Elected offices held: Serving Trustee for the Village of East DundeeQuestions Answers What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? Will you vote for your current legislative leader? What is your position on term limits in general and specifically for legislative leaders? Do you support the ongoing drive for a constitutional amendment on redistricting? What will you do to promote implementation of any changes you recommend?We need to restore the two-party system in the Illinois legislature. Republican super-minorities in the House and Senate have empowered Chicago Democrat Speaker Madigan to hold the state budget hostage. Behind closed doors he silently refuses to negotiate with the Governor. Madigan could ignore Rauner's reforms and pass his own state budget tomorrow, yet he chooses not to do so. He is the architect of the Illinois Budget Crisis and the single largest road-block to an effective General Assembly.I support Republican Leader Jim Durkin because he understands Madigan is destroying Illinois and isn't afraid to talk about it. If elected, I will work tirelessly to strengthen and expand the republican caucus.For these same reasons I whole-heartedly support the constitutional amendment for redistricting and term-limits (I even helped gather petitions signatures). We need Term-Limits now!What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems, not just for teachers but for public safety personnel as well?The only real solution is transitioning from a defined benefit system to a defined contribution pension system for new employees. For retirees and current employees we must honor what they've earned, but moving forward, there's no reason we can't reform these benefits. For new personnel these benefits should be comparable to what the rest of us see in the private sector.As the only Republican candidate in this race outside the government pension system, I offer a unique understanding of this issue.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made? Specifically, what tax increases, changes in tax policy or other opportunities for revenue growth do you support? What is your position on a graduated income tax?As one of the single largest expenditures, I would investigate overhauling Medicaid. Not long ago a private company found 40% of Medicaid recipients ineligible. These are people living out-of-state or no longer eligible for other reasons. Last year the Sun-Times reported $12 million in benefits going to dead people. I'm not making this stuff up. Conservative estimates, show we could save $1.5 to $1.9 billion a year here alone.Crafting our state budget should be a deliberative process where legislators have an opportunity to review spending, line-by-line, using a zero-based budgeting approach. Instead Speaker Michael Madigan traditionally crams these budget bills through the house before anyone can read them.Lastly, I oppose the graduated income tax and restoring the 5% income tax hike. Speaker Michael Madigan's proven for decades that sending more money to Springfield doesn't solve anything. However, I do support the selling the obscenely expensive cooper-plated doors to the capitol dome for scrap metal.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education and education funding? How will you act to promote the changes you wish to see?We need to reform the state's school funding formula which gives Chicago priority over our suburban schools through special grants. News and government reports link these grants to waste, corruption, and criminal activity in the Chicago Public School System. Property taxes are too high. This is the State of Illinois, not the State of Chicago.As a state lawmaker I will oppose additional unfunded mandates and believe education resources need to be focused on classroom learning.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I was elected Trustee of the Village of East Dundee in 2011 and have pushed a variety of reforms. First, I worked with the board to freeze the village property tax levy. This freeze has remained in place for the last five years. Second, I've promoted greater accountability. I worked to get important records and financial information posted regularly on East Dundee's village website. Third, East Dundee was the first municipality to pass Governor Bruce Rauner's Turnaround Agenda. Forth, as a trustee I've set a TIF policy prioritizing infrastructure development over corporate welfare and worked locally to enforce e-verify.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Property Taxes 창#8364;#8220; Property taxes are crushing home-owners and businesses across Illinois.Worker Compensation Reform 창#8364;#8220; This is crucial to Illinois businesses, jobs, and the vitality of our state economy.Term Limits 창#8364;#8220; After eight years, it is time to move on from the Illinois House. Limiting a politician's span of service helps them focus on what they were sent by the people to do. Endless re-election campaigns and the accumulation of power by too many for too long have led Illinois to its current state of dysfunction.Red Light Cameras 창#8364;#8220; This is a state sanctioned scam.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife, Heather. We volunteer at St. Alexius with Therapy Dogs, Inc. She has this way with people and they just open up to her.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?It sounds simple, but it's true. "Work smarter, not harder".If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I love to study history, personal finance, and economics. Going back to school and pursuing a law degree is a dream of mine.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Another easy question. I love history. It's not about names and dates, it's about humanity and what we've done, for better or for worse.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't be in such a hurry to grow up.