49th candidates at odds on school funding

A political newcomer hopes to unseat a longtime state representative in the race for Illinois' 49th District.

Democrat Rachel Shattuck, 24, a real estate transaction manager from unincorporated West Dundee, is challenging incumbent Republican Timothy Schmitz, 43, of Batavia, who's been in office since 1998. Each candidate is campaigning as an advocate of better education funding in Illinois, but they disagree on strategies.

"The state collects plenty of dollars from everyone," said Schmitz, who wants lawmakers to put a greater priority on using existing funds to pay education costs.

Shattuck, meanwhile, supports the creation of a "progressive" income tax to shift the burden of school funding away from property taxes. She says there must be property tax relief but also adequate funding for schools.

"We can't have one without the other," she said. "An income tax would be more fair and reliable."

Before entering the race, Shattuck worked on John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, volunteered with MoveOn.org and was a precinct committee person in Dundee Township. She also served in the Peace Corps. and took part in an educational program to help South Africans build life skills.

Shattuck said her experiences working inside and out of the 49th District prompted her to run for office. In addition to pushing for education funding reform, Shattuck said she supports the creation of a universal health care system.

"I hear from people all the time who don't have health care," she said. "I hear from so many people who want something different and want a new perspective."

Schmitz, a part-time Batavia firefighter who owns a land development company, was first elected state representative in 1998. He was a Batavia alderman for four years in the 1990s and previously served on the city's plan commission for six years.

During his time in office, Schmitz says he has been an advocate for the 49th District, helping land $50 million in transportation programs to improve the area. He disagrees with Shattuck on health care reform.

"I don't see any reason we should turn over our individual health care to state bureaucrats," he said, noting there are state programs for the uninsured and underinsured.

Another issue dividing the candidates is the idea of giving Illinois citizens a provision to recall elected officials.

Schmitz said a recall provision would be a "viable alternative" after elections where "people might want to say, 'maybe we didn't make the right choice." Shattuck countered that instead of pushing for a recall provision, legislators should do a better job making sure voters are fully informed before heading to the polls.

"We need to make sure we're talking to voters and informing them before the election so we don't have to spend all this money to redo elections," she said.

The 49th District includes parts of Batavia, Carpentersville, Elgin, Geneva, Huntley, South Elgin and St. Charles.