Q&A with Gutzmer

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 especially proud about having served the citizens of Elk Grove Village and the northwest suburbs for almost eighteen years as a volunteer and career firefighter, paramedic, and having been promoted to a leadership role as Lieutenant this past July. I believe the people of the 27th district need a voice that looks out for their interests. To many legislators have brokered deals for their special interest benefactors, and bankrupt our state, regardless of which political party held power. I will be the strong voice that will stand up for property owners to control property taxes, pass a capitol construction bill, and a Senator who is not be influenced by the special interests that currently run Springfield.

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.

I believe the most important change required in Springfield is a method of budgeting that removes the ability of special interests to influence spending. Two years ago, I proposed this: "A transparent budget process is paramount when considering the public's understanding and approval of the use of their tax dollars. Any proposed budget, and each line item within that budget, should be available on a searchable, real time database for at least 3 days prior to the budget being brought for a vote. This would allow both the public and the press to adequately vet the budget process and use of state dollars." If elected, I will be a suburban legislator first and advocate for mechanisms that support our communities, not the entrenched Chicago politicians currently running our state. Working to pass a capitol bill doesn't just mean fighting the three tops in Springfield ,it means lobbying our federal legislators to attract federal matching funds, and putting an end to suburban dollars being drained because Springfield and Cook County can't be bothered to balance the books properly. Finally, I will not support any new programs that increase state spending, until a budget is passed that meets our current obligations with current revenue. Both political parties have demonstrated their inability to say 'no' to popular spending plans; both have never quantified the success/failure of existing programs to meet their objectives; and both have not been honest about what they cost, or who will pay. Enough is enough.

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

Our nation and our State face some of the most difficult economic challenges in a generation. Inflationary pressures of food and energy have reduced purchasing power, rapidly growing property taxes, college educational costs, transportation costs and housing are hurting our families. I do not see any issue or reason why I could vote for an increase in either the income or sales tax. We need to get people back to work and fix our economy. That cannot be done by expanding the tax burden on those very people we are trying to help.

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 believe that gaming expansion is an easy way to create new revenue for the State, but it is not the honest way to fund anything, and comes with the negative consequences of addiction and already struggling family budgets. Voters in Illinois are all too familiar with the shell game the legislature played on taxpayers with their supplemental 'education' funding by the lottery. They know a con-artist when they meet one. I am currently opposed to adding slot machines at racetracks. I would consider allowing a casino to be based in Chicago, with the caveat that ownership should rest with the State, and a private entity contracted to administer its operations, and maximize its return. All revenue generated beyond its operational costs should be legislated into a dedicated stream, for paying down pension debts, Medicare/Medicaid, or specific department funding [ie. DNR, IDOT], and NOT the general revenue fund. Without those conditions being met, I would not support any expansion of licensures beyond those already allowed under statute.

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

Yes!

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?

As a non-incumbent, I was unable to stake a stand on this issue in Springfield. I oppose raising taxes at the county level without voter referendum approval. I do believe that the State should invest in public transportation maintenance and infrastructure, so that riders are not saddled with huge fare increases every year for operations. Public transportation, in this time of high fuel prices, should be encouraged by government. I also believe that since the City of Chicago pays less to fund their public transportation system than any other major city in the US that they should step up to the plate and be paying a larger percent than they are.

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

No. President Emil Jones is retiring, so a new opportunity exists to support a new Senate president that represents a suburban or downstate district. It is critical that we elect leadership to the Senate that offers solutions and puts people before personal politics. Taxpayers in this district can count on my opponent to vote for Frank Watson, another career politician beholden to special interests and high dollar donors. I will be voting for someone from the suburbs, who understands the most pressing issues facing the suburbs: rapid growth, burgeoning school populations, and heavy transportation gridlock.

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

Unfortunately, we can't impeach the current Governor until he has broken a law, and that has yet to be established in a court of law. However, the Governor has consistently proven himself a weak and ineffective executive, having been implicated in many corruption schemes and other instances of wrongdoing. I urge the Speaker of the House to convene hearings to investigate the Governor's conduct, and determine what specific impeachable offense we can move forward on. If time works against this highlighting of the truth, then I encourage every voter to take full advantage of the next election to return a sense of duty, honor and integrity to the office of Governor.