21st Senate hopefuls agree: No tax hikes

Republican State Sen. Dan Cronin and his opponent A. Ghani, a Democrat, both oppose income and sales tax increases - but for two completely different reasons.

Cronin, of Elmhurst, has represented Senate District 21 since 1993. He's against state, property and sales tax increases because he doesn't trust the governor and current administration with additional funds.

"Why would I vote to give this governor and this administration more revenues to waste?" he said. "I don't think any rational person would vote to give this governor an extra dime. He's been a miserable failure with what he's done so far."

Down the road, Cronin might consider decreasing property taxes.

"In the event that there is a meaningful reform measure that considers real property tax relief, I would consider it," he said.

Ghani, 70, a retired real estate broker, ran unsuccessfully for Oak Brook village president last spring. He thinks it's important to freeze all income, sales and property tax rates until the economy strengthens.

"I'm not going to support an increase in sales tax or income tax because (our economy has to recover)," he said. "For the time being, for at least two years, we cannot increase anything and we cannot decrease anything."

Green Party candidate John Basco of Downers Grove says he is running to let people know the Green Party is a viable alternative to the two other parties. He declined to comment on specific issues.

District 21 includes all or portions of Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Lisle, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Westmont and Wheaton.