Q&A with 66th District state House hopefuls
With the retirement of longtime Republican legislator Carolyn Krause, two GOP candidates are vying in the Feb. 5 primary to replace her.
The winner in the race between Laura Bartell of Arlington Heights and Christine Prochno of Elk Grove Village will face Democrat Mark Walker of Arlington Heights in the November election.
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?
Laura Bartell: I am seeking the Republican nomination because I want to be a voice for all district families and for our entire Northwest suburban community -- without any hidden agendas. I will work tirelessly to give to the people, not take from the people of the 66th District. I have committed myself to this endeavor because I am a loyal Republican who believes in the values and principles of this district. I am dedicated to maintaining a form of government we collectively believe in and I will work diligently to ensure that our state government gives us value for our hard earned tax dollars. My main objective for my district is to hold the line on taxes, slow spending and work toward a plan to double our economy into the future by embracing our economic engines. I will bring common sense and restraint into the tax and budget process.
Christine Prochno: Illinois is at a crossroad. Failure to tackle the state's excess spending leaves Illinois unable to address the pressing needs of education, business development, transportation, senior citizen concerns and property tax control. Based on my experience as an elected trustee, public school teacher and involvement in my family business I am anxious to address these challenges confronting Illinois. I am motivated to place "front and center" the fiscal crisis of Illinois and return Illinois to fiscal control. As an educator I see the need to serve our students in achieving the best education. While that service is a chief motivator for me in seeking this office and a top priority, I also realize that fiscal responsibility must be implemented or my goals of education advancement, business growth in Illinois, serving our seniors and providing for everyone to maintain home ownership cannot be met. I am convinced that I can make a difference.
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.
Bartell: Yes. We need to reevaluate how we spend our education tax dollars. I support legislation that would direct 65 percent of every dollar we give to our schools be spent in direct classroom instruction. I intend to put forth a plan that would put a portion of education tax dollars directly into the hands of the student instead of in the hands of bureaucracy.
Prochno: I am sensitive to the issue that all of Illinois' children are entitled to a quality education and investment in education will advance our society. We are all benefited if a child has the tools to further himself in life. School funding in Illinois is primarily through the property tax. The tax is under local control and the local school districts control the revenues, not the state. I prefer this local control and want to retain it. However, at the same time, I want to relieve the burden on our residents. I believe the state must provide more dollars to school districts. In our area, most of the education funding comes from local taxpayers. If the state would focus on educational funding instead of the massive expansion of new programs we could begin to provide the additional funding needed from the state and relieve local property taxes.
Q. Does Illinois currently tax businesses too heavily, too lightly or the right amount? Please explain and tell us what changes you would favor.
Bartell: Taxes are too high across the board. The real problem lies in the fact that when taxes are allotted for specific destinations they don't end up being used for the appropriate allocations. We need to use our assets more efficiently in order to get more for every tax dollar. If this can be achieved we will be able to maintain or lower our tax base and afford better services. I will introduce a bill that mandates funds allotted for specific purposes be only used for that intent.
Prochno: Illinois has an anti-business attitude. Illinois has stifled job growth and business expansion. When a national business is looking to develop a new plant, Illinois has been unsuccessful in securing new business. Excessive taxes on business limit expansion. The taxes are too heavy in an environment where business development is competitive among Midwest states. In order to secure new business, to encourage business growth and hold on to our valuable jobs, Illinois must do an about-face. To become a business-friendly state, we must support businesses by aggressively working with them if they give notice that they are leaving the state and restructure programs in order to have them remain. Taxes which limit exports must be readjusted and proposals, such as the gross sales receipts tax, would have sent Illinois business downward.