Candidates discuss economy at Arlington Heights forum
Nurturing a healthy Illinois business climate and keeping a rein on the state's finances were key issues at a debate held Saturday in Arlington Heights.
Republican Matt Murphy, incumbent in the 27th Senate District, said rather than complaining, like Gov. Rod Blagojevich, that businesses aren't paying enough taxes, the state needs to send a message that it wants business in Illinois.
The state should use Iowa as a model by supporting economic development through alternative energy sources such as switchgrass-based ethanol, Murphy said during the forum at the Arlington Heights Village Hall and sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
His opponent, Democrat Peter Gutzmer, said while he also supports alternative fuels, he believes in boosting job creation through the passage of a state capital construction program. He added, "We have to demonstrate that our educational system continues to get funded properly."
Republican Christine Prochno, running for the seat vacated by Carolyn Krause in the 66th House District, said one of the ways the state can encourage small business growth in particular is through tax incentives like the Class 6b offered by Cook County, which lowers assessments for a number of years for businesses bringing in new industrial facilities or rehabbing existing ones.
Both Prochno and her opponent, Democrat Mark Walker, agreed that providing better health care options to employees would improve the business climate. Walker added that there should be more manageable health care for small business owners, perhaps by pooling with other owners.
State finances were critical in the minds of candidates for the 53rd House District.
Republican incumbent Sidney Mathias said the state needs to stop making financial promises it can't fulfill. "If you look at state finances last year, we took in more money in revenue than we have before. We also spent more money. I don't think we have a revenue problem in Illinois. We have a spending problem."
He also called it a shame for the legislature to send the governor a budget with more than $2 billion in red ink, expecting him to balance it.
One of his two opponents, Democrat Carol Javens, said she would be on the lookout full time, line item by line item, for ways to trim wasteful spending. She called for shifting tax breaks from companies taking jobs out of the area and giving incentives to businesses that invest in the local economy. "We need to have a capital plan that creates jobs in the area," Javens added.
The Green Party candidate, Rob Sherman, said if he is elected, "We are going to cut spending," without raising taxes. One way he would slash is by eliminating sales tax rebates to businesses and grants to communities for local projects like the Jack Benny statue in Waukegan. He said the state needs to focus on its obligations, instead of "debt dumping on our children and future generations."
The issue of providing a more business friendly environment cropped up in the hard-fought battle for the 33rd Senate seat.
Democrat incumbent Dan Kotowski said he was the chief sponsor of a bill recently enacted that helps businesses save money on health care costs by offering wellness programs to their employees. He said he also co-sponsored a bill, also passed, that established a venture capital fund for Illinois startup companies to create new jobs and technologies.
Republican challenger Mike Sweeney said, "We need to get rid of this toxic business environment in Illinois." He proposed cutting waste out of the state budget without raising taxes, as well as focusing on such priorities as education, veterans benefits, pension obligations and a capital bill. He also called for more permanent business incentives, along with trimming onerous fees and taxes.