Congressional hopefuls talk taxes

GOP congressional candidate Jim Oberweis on Thursday pledged to simplify the tax code and continue President Bush's tax cuts, among other economic relief plans he outlined in a media conference call.

"With ominous signs on the economic horizon, the time is right for an economic stimulus package," said Oberweis, one of four Republican candidates for the 14th Congressional District seat vacated by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert on Monday. "Cutting taxes will energize the economy, and could help keep a likely slight downturn from turning into a serious recession."

The millionaire dairy magnate and businessman from Sugar Grove also wants to repeal the alternative minimum tax and simplify the tax code by instituting the Taxpayer Choice Act backed by Hastert. The act would give taxpayers the option to continue to calculate and pay their taxes under the current system or switch to a simpler, flat-rate system.

He also supports making permanent several economic provisions scheduled to expire in 2010: the repeal of the estate tax and the marriage penalty and the doubling of the child tax credit. Keeping in place Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts also is a priority.

Oberweis' leading competition in the primary, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, also supports making those provisions permanent and keeping the tax cuts in place. So does Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, who's also running in the primary.

"Making permanent the tax cuts already in place revitalizes the economy and encourages investment," Burns said.

Lauzen criticized Oberweis' plan for not going far enough because it doesn't condemn wasteful government spending.

"He's only got one side of the equation," said Lauzen, a certified public accountant. "It's not enough to reduce taxes. We have to have the discipline to reduce spending or else we're just shipping the bill to our children and grandchildren."

Lauzen talked about Illinois' property tax system Friday as part of a University of Illinois panel discussion at the Union League Club in Chicago.

He was the chief sponsor of a state constitutional amendment that would freeze property tax assessments until a house is sold.

The fourth GOP candidate, Michael Dilger, could not be reached for comment.

The primary is Feb. 5. A special primary election and a special general election also will be held to fulfill the remainder of Hastert's term.