Q&A with Parks

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?

My decision to run for public office is the culmination of a lifetime commitment to hard work and striving to excel in all my professional and personal pursuits. I have spent my entire professional life listening to clients, gaining an understanding of their problems and issues, developing a solution, implementing the solution, evaluating the outcome and making adjustments to achieve excellence. I see government service as an opportunity to apply this model for success to the issues facing our state. With over 40 years of experience in business, I feel confident I can become a change agent and a consensus builder in Springfield. In my professional life, I have worked with individuals and organizations that harbored focused and inflexible positions on what was acceptable and what was unacceptable. Breaking down these barriers to success and leading the way to compromise and successful outcomes are what I do best. I hope to bring these business attributes to state government. The issues we face affect the lives of thousands of people and no legislator or government official can put their own agenda above what is best for the people of Illinois. I am prepared and will work to break down the walls of inflexibility and move our state forward.

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.

For too long northern Lake County has been without a strong advocate. Property taxes have continued to rise while roads and infrastructure have continued to deteriorate. By attracting industrial and commercial development into northern Lake County jobs will be created and the pressure to increase property taxes reduced as new revenue sources are realized. As State Representative for the 61st District I will actively recruit light manufacturing, distribution and warehousing businesses to our area.

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

I do not support a tax increase that would impact the average working family. Average income families are in dire need of tax relief and need a break. I would reluctantly support a tax increase on wealthier individuals and businesses as a last resort. I do not believe we have exhausted all of our new revenue options. Like any business; if you are spending more than you are making you must cut cost. I will work to identify new revenue opportunities and look for ways to cut costs before entertaining any form of tax increase.

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

In the short term gambling revenues may be our best option to provide new sources of revenue to support social programs and schools. The impact of these revenues would be felt quickly, allow for a balanced budget and eliminate the need to cut needed programs and services. Long term, using gambling as a revenue source just doesn't feel very good. As we get our state economy back on track we will have other revenue streams to tap that will prove less problematic than gambling. Remember, the Lotto, a game of chance, was originally intended to support education.

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

I would absolutely give voters the ability to recall elected officials. We the voters put them into office and we the voters should be able to remove them from office if they are performing their duties in the best interest of the state. A leader who does not have the support and confidence of a majority of his or her constituents cannot be an effective leader.

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?

Any type of tax increase on working people is unacceptable. In many municipalities across the country, Federal funds are being found and utilized to support mass transit. I suspect this was not the case in Illinois. One of first actions as Representative would be to determine if any outside funding is available to expand or rebuild our aging mass transit system. We, as a country, always seem to be able to find ways to help and rebuild foreign countries; maybe it's time to look at helping our own people and rebuilding own infrastructure.

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

My first priority is to get elected. Once in Springfield I will align myself with those members of the House that share my vision of what Illinois can become. I will also work to secure for northern Lake County its fair share of state funding. Not being a career politician has its advantages. I do not own allegiance to anyone. I will support the leader who is willing to address and fix the problems in Springfield and help northern Lake County build infrastructure that will support and attract commercial/industrial growth.

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

It is unfortunate that the people of Illinois do not have the ability to recall the Governor. For the House to impeach and the Senate to prosecute, there must be evidence of a violation of the law or ethics. This process is lengthy as well as costly and will create a distraction and loss of focus on the problems we face. The General Election in 2010 may be the best way to deal with Gov. Blagojevich. However, if evidence of illegal activity or breaches of ethics are presented then the House will have no choice but to pursue impeachment and I would support that decision.