Keith Wheeler: Candidate Profile

Back to 50th 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: OswegoWebsite: keithwheeler.netTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 50th State House District Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Wife: LisaChildren: Matthew, Chad, and AvaOccupation: Owner of Responsive Network ServicesEducation: Bachelors Degree from University of IllinoisCivic involvement: Civic Organization Leadership:Kendall County Food Pantry Board of DirectorsChairman 2008-2014Oswego Bears Youth Football and Cheer Board of DirectorsTreasurer 2010-2014Football Coach 2010-2012Civic Organization Participation:Bristol Township TrusteeAppointed in 2013District 308 Teaching and Learning CommitteeAppointed Member 2012-2014Sons of the American LegionMember since 2010Elected offices held: State RepresentativeBristol Township TrusteeQuestions 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?Until the legislative map reflects the will of the voters, the legislature will be hampered by its lack of accountability. Since the current leadership in the House feels no need to respond to voters, they have chosen to ignore reality in this state and put up huge walls to protect the status quo which doesn't currently work for most Illinoisans.Would you vote for an increase in state income taxes or sales taxes? Would you vote for new taxes, such as on services? What is your position on a graduated income tax?I do not support tax increases. A graduated income tax would lead to a tax increase.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.I have been an advocate for more honest education funding for local school districts starting with actually honoring the adopted funding formula. I am interested in hearing more about the current discussion regarding the use of an evidence-based approach to education funding. Ultimately, education is a top priority for our state, but we must find a better balance in our funding approach to protect Illinois property taxpayers.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?This is one of my biggest frustrations about my time in Springfield. As a member of the House Appropriations General Services Committee, I expected that we would work through the budget in tremendous detail looking for ways to make cuts to balance the budget. Those discussions never took place. Instead, a budget was produced by the House Democrats and the appropriations committees were effectively disbanded. I am open to making across the board cuts if we can't actually negotiate specific cuts that will start to close the budget gap.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?The state needs to move to a defined contribution program as soon as possible. The current defined benefit system is underfunded and unsustainable. A defined contribution system would give certainty to employees, affordability to taxpayers, and sustainability to our state.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?For our state to pull out of this financial crisis, we are going to need dramatically improved economic growth. For that to take place, we have to create an environment that is more competitive with other states. Illinois has become a very expensive place to do business. We have the highest property taxes in the country, the third highest litigation costs, and the seventh highest workers' compensation costs - all results of damage done by poor decisions by state government. If Illinois had experienced average economic growth since 2000, we wouldn't have a bill backlog.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My fatherWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My grandmother taught me to have faith and to love unconditionallyIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would like to have considered military service when I was youngerWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Advanced high school science classes with Mr. Potts expanded my idea of learning and how it applies to lifeIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be comfortable in being your authentic self