A Q&A with Bill Gentes
Q. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?
Bill Gentes: I think that the 26th district needs new leadership that addresses the needs of the district: tax reform; smarter education funding; transportation improvement and health care nearby and affordable.
Q. Tell us what contributions you would make.
Gentes: I have led the charge on transportation by serving on the Lake County Transportation Alliance Board, and by chairing the 120 Bypass Coalition. I am working closely with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to locate a hospital square in the center of the 26th District to better serve all the district. I worked closely with the state to help Round Lake Unit District 116 get back on solid footing.
Q. The 2007 session showed again how heavily legislative action relies on consensus by the governor and legislative leaders. Should rank-and-file legislators play a larger role? If not, why? If so, how can that change be made?
Gentes: I think all rank and file legislators need to step up and let their opinions be known to leadership.
Q. Illinois residents will vote in 2008 on whether the state should call a constitutional convention. Do you favor a convention? Why or why not? If yes, what constitutional revisions do you favor?
Gentes: I do favor a constitutional convention, if for no other reason then we have the ability to address things that have changed since the last one, freshen things up so to speak!
Q. Do Illinois' ongoing budget problems have their roots in too much spending or too little revenue? Or in some combination of both? Please explain.
Gentes: I would say both, we need to better manage what we have, and constantly be on the lookout for more revenue sources.
Q. Do you favor any changes in the state's funding of schools? If yes, what changes? If you favor no changes, please explain why.
Gentes: School funding needs to be improved, we need to find more funding and decrease schools reliance on property taxes.
Q. Do you favor or oppose putting new state employees on defined-contribution instead of defined-benefit retirement plans? Either way, explain why.
Gentes: I think the current plans are viable, we just need to fund them properly.
Q. Does Illinois currently tax businesses too heavily, too lightly or the right amount? Please explain and tell us what changes you would favor.
Gentes: I think the whole tax structure in this state needs to be overhauled so we can find fairness for all.
Q. Should the state lease or sell some assets such as its tollways and the lottery? Why or why not?
Gentes: No, I think the sale of these assets are short term fixes, and to give away long term revenue is short sighted. The only way I could see that is if the state were guaranteed revenue sources from the sale for the long haul.
Q. What issue or issues specific to your legislative district and its residents do you plan to address in Springfield?
Gentes: There are four main issues, tax reform, education funding, transportation funding and water issues.
state senate, 26th district
One 4-year term
Bill Gentes, 48, Round Lake Democrat. Real estate trade association executive with Realtor Association of North West Chicagoland in Arlington Heights.
Politics: Chairman, Round Lake Planning Commission 1997-2001; member, Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, 2005- present; board of governors, Lake County Partners, 2006-present; chairman, 120 Bypass Planning Council 2005-present.
Community: Member, CENCOM (Round Lake Area 911 board) 2002-2007.
Family: Wife Christine; daughter Denise, 17.