Eddie Corrigan: 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: Arlington HeightsWebsite: citizensforcorrigan.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 53rd District Representative Age: 29Family: I come from a large Irish family. I am one of forty-eight first cousins, most of whom still live in the Chicagoland suburbs. I have three siblings and my father's name is Michael. My mother, Sheila, passed away from Ovarian Cancer when I was just nine years old.Occupation: Outreach Coordinator at the United States House of RepresentativesEducation: University of Notre Dame, B.A.Civic 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?To make the legislature more effective we need fair and independent map resolution and to impose leadership term limits. I intend to remain open minded regarding my vote for leader. Whoever can best represent the caucus and is best for my district is who I will support. Term limits are imperative for legislative leaders. For years, Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton have used their positions of power to line their donor's pockets on the backs of working class families. It is time for the legislature to vote for leadership term limits in both chambers.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?For the past thirty years, Speaker Madigan has controlled the Illinois House and for decades Illinois has passed unbalanced budgets which have hurt Illinois working families. It is necessary and urgent that both sides come together and work out an annual budget. Compromise is not a dirty word and Speaker Madigan must learn that compromise does not just extend one way. We have to combine government reform and real spending cuts to pass a balanced budget for years to come. An analysis of currently funded programs is necessary to see if there is fraud or abuse that could be limited and evaluate how successful the programs actually are. A Ãâ#128;™Pay as you goÃâ#128;œ method should be implemented and anything not coverable within that method requires cutting the unnecessary expenses by proactively doing everything possible to push Illinois out of the red. I will fight for Illinois working families. I will make sure that the people's priorities in the 53rd district are heard. I will be vocal about what the budget must contain and what waste we need to eliminate. I will be a champion of good governance and smart spending. A true balanced budget must be the goal.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?llinois must approve a ballot initiative on legislative redistricting. The current redistricting process has been shambolic for decades. Gerrymandering has reigned supreme, and districts do not properly represent a particular area. The current process has allowed politicians to choose their voters and tighten their grip on power. For these reasons, I support the Ãâ#128;™Fair MapÃâ#128;œ initiative which would create a fair and independent redistricting commission.What approach do you support in fixing public employee pension systems?Illinois has the highest unfunded pension liability in the United States. Lawmakers in Illinois must answer the call and provide a solution which reduces pension costs as well as protecting the hard-earned benefits already promised to retirees. I believe the consideration model is the best approach to fix our public employee pension system. This model gives employees choices but does not touch benefits previously earned. The next steps in the consideration model would be reducing benefits levels for new employees and entering them into a defined contribution, hybrid 401(k) system, thus helping to reduce long-term liabilities.To what extent do you support or oppose legalization of marijuana for recreational use?This is a hot-button issue and I believe both sides have done an excellent job arguing in favor of their cause. To make a true determination though, I would have to see specific legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. In my opinion, it would be very reckless for the state to legalize marijuana for the sole purpose of generating new revenue. This is a topic that must be vetted inside and out before further action is taken.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?llinois must become competitive economically. Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Missouri are all the beneficiaries of Illinois' tax and spend policies. Droves of residents have fled our borders for states they believe are better to raises families and grow small businesses. I believe it is of the utmost importance to pass pro-growth legislation. We have to create an environment where our small businesses can flourish and where out of state businesses look to grow.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elon Musk is an innovator and pioneer. He inspires me to always look forward and never give up on my dreams.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Before my mother passed away from Ovarian Cancer she impressed upon me the importance to always put myself in other people's shoes.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life does not give you do-overs. All we can do is look forward and make the best of our mistakes.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in school was history because it instilled me in me a great respect for the thinkers, leaders, and dreamers of the past.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Love everyone for who they are. We only have one opportunity in life and we should spend it caring for our fellow men and women.