New legislators discuss their priorities

SPRINGFIELD - Several new suburban lawmakers took the oath of office for the first time Wednesday. The Daily Herald touched based with them in recent days to ask them about the upcoming session and the work they'll do.

Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican is the next Senator for the 26th district. He plans to help the state by being a hard worker and a good listener.

Duffy said his focus will be on issues including corruption in the state.

"We need to uncover and turn every stone to out who is involved in the corruption and then we need to clean house," he said.

Darlene Senger, a Naperville Republican, said the first step the new General Assembly needs to take is to balance the budget and start paying the state's bills.

"This group might actually roll up their sleeves and actually get something gone," said Senger.

Senger plans to look into the Canadian National Railway and EJ&E merger's impact on the Ogden Avenue commuter train, saying the merger has created difficulties.

Kay Hatcher, a Yorkville Republican, said her first job will be to try to return trust in Illinois government, and she said the key is fiscal responsibility.

"There has never been a worse time for the state, and there has never been a time with more opportunity," she said.

Michael Connelly, a Lisle Republican, said the state needs to be pro-business to fix economic woes.

"If we are going to get out of the state we are in, we need to grow out of it," Connelly said.

He hoped the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, now in the hands of the Illinois Senate, will quickly be relegated to history books.

"This episode we are going through, we will be out of it soon and be able to put all of this behind us," Connelly said.

Mark Walker, an Arlington Heights Democrat, said he had no hesitation in voting to impeach the governor.

"I think Mr. Blagojevich should have been removed from office two years ago," he said.

Walker wants to help regain people's faith and trust in the legislature. He also hopes his background as a financial executive will help the legislature move the state toward long-term financial stability.

Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, said he hopes to use his term to focus on veteran's health care and getting greater access to home care for seniors.

"This is an exciting and sobering time for the State of Illinois," he said.

Emily Klunk-McAsey, a Lockport Democrat, said she'll champion local interests.

"I am eager to stand up and do good work for the people of my district," she said.