Ryan Byrne: 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: WheatonWebsite: www.byrnefor42.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: www.facebook.com/byrnefor42/Office sought: 42nd District Representative Age: 29Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Director of Marketing at Cunningham Trading SystemsEducation: BS in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. LouisCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected 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 for legislative leaders specifically?Implementing term limits on legislators will improve effectiveness by restricting the ability of any one legislator to accumulate power in Springfield. I don't believe that legislative leaders need term limits as long as term limits are in effect for all legislators.On budgeting, what should be done to ensure that the state does not again go through a period of time without a budget in place? What will you do as a legislator to help ensure that the spending priorities you espouse during your campaign are reflected in the budget?The legislature needs to work together to create a budget that is accepted by the governor. While it is not the legislature's job to craft the governor's ideal budget, the fact that the governor has the final say in signing a budget needs to be considered. I will work with members of both parties to find common ground in which the best interests of the people of Illinois are represented.Should the legislature approve ballot initiatives either for a constitutional amendment on legislative redistricting or one on term limits? If so, how would you recommend the issues be structure? If not, why not?Legislative redistricting should be done by an independent body to eliminate gerrymandering. Term limits should be enacted to eliminate the stranglehold that some legislators have held on Springfield for decades. I would support a two-term limit for state senators and a three-term limit for representatives.What approach do you support in fixing public employee pension systems?Defined benefit plans have proven to be unsustainable. We need to move new state workers into defined contribution plans. These plans work well in the public sector and will provide steady and predictable costs for the state going forward. It would be unethical to alter the contracts that dictate benefits for current state workers, but a defined contribution plan for new hires would eventually eliminate the growing problem.To what extent do you support or oppose legalization of marijuana for recreational use?Legalizing recreational marijuana will lead to increased tax revenue that will help the state get closer to a balanced budget. Additionally, citizens who buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries will no longer interact with dealers who may encourage them to try other, more dangerous, drugs. These dealers will lose a significant source of revenue, which will ultimately decrease the prevalence and strength of the gangs that distribute drugs. Reduced gang activity will directly correlate to reduced violence in areas afflicted by gangs. The combination of reduced access to opioids, reduced crime, and increased tax revenue make legalizing marijuana a good decision for Illinois.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My top priority is to faithfully represent the people of the 42nd District by initiating, co-sponsoring, and voting for legislation that benefits them. I will use my experiences and ethics to develop a thoughtful stance on every issue, but I will also seek the input and support of the citizens of the district. A representative should be a conduit through which the citizens have a voice in government. I intend to provide that voice.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always be honest.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't change anything.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I've found the analytical skills developed in math class to be highly applicable in life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be confident in yourself.