Q&A with Farnham

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?

I am running for public office because I see how the gridlock and disunity in Illinois state government has negatively impacted the lives of local area residents. I will bring a fresh perspective to Springfield, and as State Representative, I will work to oppose the business as usual mentality that currently pervades Springfield. Under our current representation, we have not been able to keep up with our local area's infrastructure and transportation needs. As a former small business owner, I believe I can provide leadership in the Illinois General Assembly that is necessary to pass legislation that will benefit our local area and region. As I have been walking door to door, I have been hearing from residents that they are concerned about crime, education, gas prices, economic development, health care and the overall direction our state is headed in, and because I want to represent this district, those will be my top priorities.

2. For incumbents and non-incumbents. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

Throughout my career as a painter, board member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of American and as a founder of the Finishing Contractors Association (FCA), I have spent a great deal of my life working to bring people together. I have spent many hours working with both management and labor to find common ground. As State Representative, I believe that I would be able to use those skills to bring different groups in Springfield together to find ways to bring groups together for the betterment of our state. I am also not a career politician. I am running for office because I am tired of seeing limited resources for our community. I want to go to Springfield and roll up my sleeves and fight for the good people of the 43rd District and eliminate the current stalemate in Illinois government.

3. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support raising the state income or sales tax? Please explain.

I believe that we need to fight to find tax relief for our middle class families before we look at raising taxes. Our current economy is in bad shape and because of that many families are struggling to make ends meet. As families continue to hurt, I am not in favor of anything that would make the burden on our working middle-class families greater than it already is.

4. Do you support the expansion of gambling by adding slot machines at racetracks? Do you favor licensing and building new casinos? Please explain.

As someone who lives and is campaigning in a city that already has a casino, I would not support expanding gaming opportunities to racetracks. Our casino is already experiencing reduced revenues because of our current economy and I am fearful those revenues would continue to decrease if racetracks were allowed to have slot machines. As for the expansion of gambling on a whole, I believe the state already has enough casinos in operation. If we continue to look at increasing gambling to generate state revenues we are looking in the wrong direction because across the nation, gaming facility revenues are on the decline. I do however support increased funds for gambling addiction programs to protect our loved ones from the ills that could cause hard working families to fall into disrepair.

5. Would you support giving voters the ability to recall elected officials?

Yes. I believe that if the voters feel their elected officials are not living up to their promises or are in violation of their oaths of office they should be allowed to speak up and make sure government is working in their best interests.

6. Did you support the suburban tax increases that were used to keep the public transportation trains and buses running without cuts or fare increases?

I believe that it is important that we look into and invest in improving infrastructure across our region, however, in our current economy I can't see supporting efforts to raise taxes on the backs of the middle-income and lower-income families. We need to make sure the federal government is coming through on their promises and that they are providing us with the assistance they are required to in support of our mass transit systems throughout the state.

7. If you are elected, will you vote for the current party leader of your legislative chamber? Why or why not?

Currently, I am focused on my election to the Illinois House of Representatives and providing the residents of the 43rd District with a voice that will speak for their concerns.

8. What do you think of the idea, widely circulated, of impeaching Gov. Blagojevich?

As I walk door to door throughout my district, I constantly hear from local residents who are fed up with the way Illinois government is being run, especially through the office of the Governor. Our past two chief executive officers have caused residents to lose faith in the system they are supposed to be able to respect. The voters are tired of this business as usual mindset in our state capital and if elected to the office of state representative, I would be prepared to take action should the facts warrant the removal of the governor from office.