Heidi Holan: Candidate Profile

Back to 46th 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: Glen EllynWebsite: VoteHeidiHolan.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 46th State House District Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband2 childrenOccupation: Home EducatorEducation: B.S. Business AdminstrationCivic involvement: Illinois State Coordinator parentalrights.orgThe GreenhouseElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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?For the past fifteen years, Illinois has been spending more money than it brings in. This practice will not change until voters change the people who are making the policies. On November 8, voters need to replace those legislators who have supported the fiscal irresponsibility with people who will pass a constitutionally compliant balanced budget. Reducing the super majority by 2 or 3 members will go a long way toward achieving this goal. We must choose to promote financial stability and job growth in Illinois. We must no longer stoop to giving out IOUs to those who provide state services and burden our children and grandchildren with unbearable debt. I will not vote for Michael Madigan to be Speaker of the House and I support term limits for both legislators and legislative leaders. I would support a constitutional amendment on redistricting. The mapping process must be yanked away from those who seek to benefit from the process. In order to effect positive change in Illinois we must clearly define our problems, discern their roots and agree on the best solutions.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?Springfield has no standing to ask taxpayers for more revenue at this time. Rather than prioritize spending, cut waste, and appropriate based upon funds received - in other words, balance the budget just as we do in our homes -Springfield has consistently chosen to spend into the red and is currently on track to have $10 billion in unpaid bills by the end of this year. It is beyond reason to think that Springfield should demand even more revenue from residents. Two examples clearly demonstrate the current demeaning practices:*For 4 years Illinois taxpayers were required to send Springfield 67% more of their hard earned dollars - and the state's overspending continued*The 2017 fiscal bill passed by the House appropriated $40 billion in spending even though revenues are only $33 billion - to balance the budget this would require the average taxpaying family to pay an additional $1,000As proven by the ongoing flight from Illinois, it is evident that people have reached the tax saturation point and must find relief, even at the cost of leaving friends and family to moving to another state. Springfield must end this exodus by reducing excessive tax burdens on Illinois residents - property, income, gas and other taxes. Taxpayers need assurance that their hard earned dollars will provide the services they value. I would oppose all new taxes at this time, including a graduated income tax.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.All children should have access to a quality K-12 education at a fair price to the taxpayers. Illinois citizens value quality education, yet our current system traps children in failing schools because of their address or family income level. This forces parents and taxpayers to continue to fund those failing schools. This is wrong. A common sense approach to improving the quality of all schools is to allow parents to send their children to the school of their choice and have the funding follow the child. I would support any effort that moves toward that goal whether it is tuition vouchers, opportunity scholarships, or Education Savings Accounts.By allowing parents to choose the school that will receive their public dollars, we will increase healthy academic competition between schools. Just as in the commercial marketplace, the resulting increased innovation and quality on the part of schools will benefit everyone. Education reform should include ending unfunded mandates that drive up costs to K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?Spending cuts alone will not propel Illinois into full financial health; significant reforms are also needed to lower our expenses. Fifteen years ago state pensions were 5% of our budget, now they are 25% and growing. Insurance rates in Illinois are at least two times higher than surrounding states for workers' compensation. Medicaid and healthcare obligations are climbing. There are cost drivers behind each of these increasing expenses and they need to be addressed. The proper reforms would lower our expenses as well as increase revenue by creating an environment where businesses are allowed to thrive.Illinois must also focus on funding only our core functions and eliminate funding for projects that are not state priorities. The enforcement of a balanced budget will clearly reveal desired spending, This is the first step to fiscal responsibility.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?The key components of reform should ensure that 1) all pension benefits earned to date are paid and 2) state employees gain complete control over their retirement funds.All future employees should receive defined contribution plans. Current employees should be moved into self-managed plans for future work, while protecting already-earned benefits. If employees choose to invest in an annuity within their self-managed plan it will be at their choice and politicians will not have control of it. I also support a buy-out option for current employees.Part-time elected officials should not be eligible for a pension.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Property Taxes: High property taxes are causing people to flee our state. Unfunded mandates from Springfield contribute to these skyrocketing tax bills. Springfield must remove these unfunded mandates and allow local governments to fully control their own expenses.Providing Job Opportunities: We need to remove the barriers that slow business growth such as high taxes, costly business regulations, higher than average worker's compensation rates, excessive licensing fees, and uncertainty caused by excessive state spending, high debt and unfunded liabilities. A healthy economy and demand for goods and services are what stimulate job creation.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Integrity is something I value - it was modeled to me and I've modeled it for my children.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow the principles and values you have been taught from your earliest days and you will continue to be responsible men of integrity.