Char Kegarise: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharFor56/Office sought: 56th District Representative Age: 65Family: I have been happily married for 46 years, with three wonderful sons, one talented grandson and a daughter in-law who we are proud to have as family.Occupation: Branch Office Manager, EurofinsEducation: College, Certificates in Food Service and Clothing ConstructionCivic involvement: I serve as the Chair of the North Cook Division of Illinois School Board Associations, and I have been President for multiple PTA's and the Jaycee's. Not only have I supported our community in the education sector, I have volunteered with local sports organizations, women's club, village bikeways committee, and Schaumburg Township Senior services.Elected offices held: I presently serve as a Board Member and Vice President of School District 54.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?There are a number of structural changes that need to be made to make the legislature more effective for the people of Illinois. Term limits on all legislators. Career politicians like Mike Madigan have been in office for over 45 years. That's wrong. Holding elected office is about doing a public service, not having a career and profiting off taxpayers. Speaker Madigan's time as Speaker of the House has also shown a light on the inequalities of power one member of the General Assembly can wield over the state's legislative agenda due to the Rules of the General Assembly. As Speaker, Mike Madigan chooses the majority of members who serve on the powerful Rules Committee, providing him oversight over all legislation that gets introduced by members on both sides of the aisle. All pieces of legislation must go through the Rules Committee in order to be moved to the House floor for vote. This process stifles real spirited debate on proposed legislation as well as participation from all members. We must change the broken rules of the General Assembly so that all members of the legislature are given the ability to have a real impact on the legislative process and have their voices heard.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 first step should be a "No Budget, No Pay" for members of the General Assembly. If the legislature fails to fulfill its constitutional duty to pass a budget that is balanced, the members should not be paid. We've already seen that the lack of a paycheck can be a motivator for legislators, so "No Budget, No Pay" should become law. Next, the legislature needs to start by being honest with taxpayers, and stop using tax increases, one-time gimmicks and smoke and mirrors to make the budget appear balanced when it actually is not. Illinois has been overspending for decades because elected officials are afraid to make the difficult choices necessary to ensure that we live within our means. Returning to the normal appropriations process is one way that we can work to balance the budget and prevent the state from going through periods without a budget again. In addition, instead of the current top-down approach, where members are given a take-it-or-leave-it proposition from legislative leaders, the normal appropriations process allows individual members to have their priorities reflected in any negotiated budget.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?I believe term limits are an essential part of turning our state around. Politicians should not be in Springfield for more than a decade. Every elected official in Springfield, from Governor on down to State Representative, should be term limited. I enthusiastically support a constitutional amendment to enact term limits and look forward to persuading our State Representatives on both sides of the aisle to do the same as well. I support a constitutional amendment on redistricting. Redistricting should not be influenced by the partisan whims of Springfield politicians, regardless of who is in charge. Redistricting should be an independent process by a group bound by rules that are independent of any partisan considerations to establish legislative districts that preserve the integrity of communities, based on both geographic, racial, and cultural considerations.What approach do you support in fixing public employee pension systems?To maintain our state's talented workforce, pension benefits must be in line with other Midwestern states and private sector employers. At the same time, we definitely need various forms of pension reform so we can get our unfunded pension liability under control and preserve the solvency of our state's pension system. It is of the utmost importance that any pension reform protects the benefits of current and retired workers. Our state constitution and Supreme Court precedent are abundantly clear Ãcirc;#144; we cannot reduce retirement benefits for workers. As it relates to current workers and retirees, any changes made must involve voluntary cooperation, such as a lump sum payment or transferral into a pension plan tier. For future workers, a new tier should be made with hybrid features that combines aspects of both defined benefit and contribution plans. Workers deserve retirement security and peace of mind, but at the same time, we must consider risk Illinois taxpayers assume with defined benefit plans.To what extent do you support or oppose legalization of marijuana for recreational use?I do not support the legalization of recreational marijuana.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Another important issue for me would be supporting small businesses and creating jobs in our community. Beyond lowering the tax burden, Illinois should reduce regulations on small businesses and entrepreneurs. It should be easier to form and operate a business. That means less red tape and lower costs associated with running a business. One of the biggest costs associated with running a business is worker's compensation insurance. Illinois has some of the highest work. comp. rates in the nation, and businesses and units of government, large and small, often cite it as a large cost. Those regulations should be brought in line with our neighboring states, but also be kept at a level that could adequately compensate injured and disabled workers. That particular reform can make Illinois competitive while also saving taxpayer money at every level of government.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Angela MerkelWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Being from a large family I learned early on the art of how to compromise and get along well with others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have no regrets in life and therefore would have nothing I would like to do over.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was my favorite subject in school. While most people dread developing and monitoring a budget. I find it to be fascinating and stimulating.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I advised my children that I could provide them with many things, but a good education was most important. It's something they would always have.