Q&A with Forte-Scott

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?

Springfield's political leadership has forgotten hard-working families. Men and women spend hours in congested traffic, work rotating shifts without seeing their loved ones and some work two or even three jobs, to keep food on their family dinner table. While families work harder to make ends meet, state government has pushed new taxes on everyday goods, attempted to double the income tax rate and forced local governments to increase property taxes to handle unfunded mandates from the state. Our government must begin listening to families, rising above political discourse and offering relief to families. Now more than ever we need a fresh face with a new perspective. I am ready to take on the establishment in Springfield and serve my district with steadfast commitment. I will change Springfield and not let 'business as usual' change me. As State Representative, I will draw from my diverse experiences and leadership roles in the community: Founder and President of the Popular Creek Watershed Planning Coalition; Hoffman Estates Environmental Commissioner; Team Leader for Read Across America; and Vice President of the PSO/Illinois Child Care Association. Additionally, I am proud to be the recipient of distinguished community service awards, such as the Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service, 2002 Illinois Environmental Educator of the Year and Prairie State Services Learning Leadership Award of Excellence. As State Representative, I will restore faith in government and build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. I am committed to bringing home results for district families and area businesses.

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.

Since 2005, I have been privileged to serve as President, Vice President, Secretary and trustee on the Schaumburg Township Library Board. The board has passed balanced budgets on an annual basis, held the line on tax increases and instituted a family leave program for new parents of adopted children. Under my leadership, the board has budgeted for the future to anticipate rising costs associated with literacy programs, technology advancements and meeting the needs of our culturally, diverse population. Any state or local spending plan that does not put district issues and families first, is an irresponsible budget. Serving as State Representative, I will stand against the Springfield establishment and oppose tax increases, demand fiscal responsibility and true balanced budgets. During my term of leadership on the Schaumburg Township Library Board, I employed sound business practices used everyday in my small, early education childhood center to ensure sustained prosperity and future fiscal opportunity. If elected, I will fight wasteful spending, demand greater accountability in state budgets, oppose new taxes and pass laws to protect district values and families. I am committed to passing meaningful property tax relief, our nation's tightest anti-corruption laws and increasing state dollars to local schools. Our current lawmaker has forgotten how hard families and small businesses work to make ends meet and pay government taxes. Taxpayers are frustrated Paul Froehlich has supported two legislative pay raises, voted for fee and tax hikes and opposed a holiday on state gas taxes. District families want change and an independent voice in Springfield. I am ready to fight for their values and bring home results.

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

I oppose any and all tax increases on families and businesses. Viewed as a whole, Illinois' economy has staggered with little to no job growth. Proposed tax increases by Blagojevich and the Democrat-controlled Statehouse, such as the $8 billion job-crushing gross receipts tax and a $3 billion income tax hike, have stunted economic growth by pushing jobs to neighboring states and reducing consumer spending. Todd Stroger's massive sales tax hike has deepened Cook County's bureaucratic system with greater reliance on taxpayer money. Simply, Rod Blagojevich and Todd Stroger have taxed our state into near oblivion. Lawmakers must remember the real-wallet impact of taxes on families. Right now, families are paying soaring property taxes, skyrocketing fuel and energy costs, and costly tuition and housing bills for kids in college. Every trip to the mailbox can uncover a new bill for families that they simply cannot afford. To get Illinois back on track, it's imperative for state and local leaders to reign in reckless spending, live within their means and stop digging themselves into further debt. For the fiscal year 2009, the Democrat leaders approved a $59 billion state budget that was $2 billion out-of-balance. Fiscally-minded leaders cannot honestly demand more taxes from hard-working families when they refuse to pass true, balanced budgets absent of special projects and legislative pay raises.

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

I do not support the expansion of gambling as new revenue stream for state government. Our state must live within its means, stop wasteful spending and practice fiscally conservative budgeting practices to get Illinois back on track.

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

Illinois taxpayers deserve a recall election. Adding recall provisions to our state constitution establishes a new standard of accountable representation our state's politicians desperately need. Recall offers voters a continued opportunity to make democratic decisions about who governs them regardless of the election cycle. Incompetence in office, failure to represent district values and corruption will no longer be hid in the shadows of political power. I fully support a voter's right to recall an elected official.

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 do not support tax increases to subsidize RTA's mismanaged transit system. Our transit system is the hub of transportation between the suburbs and Chicago, and its vitality is vital for our economic growth and quality of life. RTA's failure to stop wasteful spending, pass true balanced budgets, increase efficiency and eliminate executive pay raises must be addressed first. It is unreasonable and irresponsible for one of the nation's largest metropolitan transit systems to beg, borrow and plead for new tax dollars when they refuse to make the tough decisions to stay afloat. Throwing money at the poorly managed RTA board is not the answer. Our state must invest the millions into a comprehensive, long-term capital/jobs plan to put 700,000 job seekers to work and rebuild our public infrastructure. According to the Metropolitan Planning Council, improving public transit and eliminating highway congestion could save taxpayers $7.3 billion lost sitting in traffic and add 87,000 jobs if gridlock were eliminated. The positive effects of an Illinois capital jobs plan is far-reaching and is possible without raising taxes.

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

I will support Tom Cross as party leader of the House Republicans. Leader Cross encourages his caucus members to vote and introduce legislative measures important to their district. He supports his caucus members' fight for local education dollars, capital funds for new roads and transit upgrades, and legislation to address district issues.

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

Political corruption in Illinois isn't just a saying; it's a way of life for Blagojevich. Our state must enact sweeping ethical reforms to clean up Blagojevich's pay-to-play corruption. It is time for elected officials to uphold a higher standard of ethics when representing Illinois families. For the last six years, the underlining current in Blagojevich's administration has been pay-to-play political scandals. The conviction of Tony Rezko for federal fraud, money laundering and bribery charges exposed the deep political culture of corruption plaguing Illinois politics. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald noted Rezko's conviction as "an antidote to the poison of corruption" eroding the State of Illinois. Blagojevich is a black eye on Illinois history. I stand with hard-working citizens of Illinois disgusted with business as usual in Springfield and want the establishment to be held accountable. As State Representative, I will pass no-nonsense ethics laws to expose pay-to-play political scandals. My anti-corruption reforms will shed light on state contracts, ban government officials from receiving fees for work with state bonds and prohibit soliciting contributions from contractors conducting business with the state. Taxpayers deserve state leaders committed to ethics reform, accountable spending, and greater transparency on where their tax dollars are being spent. Together we can reform state government. Together we can make Springfield put people over politics.