Dan Rutherford: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: PontiacWebsite: http://danrutherford.org/Office sought: Governor Age: 58Family: singleOccupation: retired from ServiceMaster Co., Vice President InternationalEducation: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Illinois State UniversityCivic involvement: Elks ClubPheasant's ForeverFarm BureauPontiac Chamber of CommerceElected offices held: Illinois State RepresentativeIllinois State SenatorIllinois State TreasurerHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I am running for governor because Illinois needs strong leadership, and I believe I can turn our state around. I have traveled Illinois; I sense that Illinoisans have a feeling of depression and frustration with their government. And it's understandableâ#128;#148;unemployment is high, businesses are leaving our state and the current Administration doesn't seem to have a plan.Illinois residents deserve a financially sound state government, an improved business climate, a stronger educational system, affordable services for our less fortunate and elderly, safe neighborhoods, an appreciation of our natural resources, a defender of our Constitutional rights, government leaders we can trust, and a state where our families will want to stay for future generations.I have a unique combination of legislative, executive and private sector, global business experience that gives me the knowledge needed to be an effective governor. Before receiving nearly two million votes to be elected the Illinois treasurer, I served in the legislature while simultaneously maintaining a 25-year career in the private sector as a business executive with America's largest service company. I have the knowledge and experience to tackle the fiscal challenges that face Illinois.Illinois can be a great place to raise a family, earn a living and build a business. We have our share of problems, but I encourage Illinoisans to keep the faith. As a leader, I bring the ability to make the tough decisions and the skills to guide Illinois into a bright future.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?First and foremost, I'm the one Republican running for governor that's won a state-wide race. I have a unique combination of legislative, executive and global business experience that gives me the knowledge needed to be an effective governor. Before receiving nearly two million votes to be elected the Illinois treasurer, I served in the legislature while simultaneously maintaining a 25-year career in the private sector as a business executive with America's largest service company. My professional experience has prepared me with the knowledge and experience to tackle the fiscal challenges that face Illinois.Would you support making Illinois' temporary income tax hike permanent before it expires in January 2015? If not, how will you replace the billions of dollars the tax hike brought in, or what cuts would you make?I do not want it to stay. I do not want it to stay. I do not want it to stay. But, I don't know what I don't know until I become Governor in January 2015. Will the state pension law be found to be Constitutional? Will the current Governor and General Assembly have spending and borrowing in check over the next year?I feel a mistake was made in January 2011 when the income tax was raised, only bringing in money and not resolving the financial ills of Illinois. If a comprehensive package to resolve Illinois' financial problems, including a fair solution to state pensions, had been negotiated in 2011, with revenue as a part of the fix, we would not be in the situation we are today.As Governor, I will not sign any revenue into law without it being temporary and a part of a verifiable, comprehensive, long term resolution to Illinois' financial problems.Which of the following do you support: New casinos, slot machines at horse racing tracks, gambling on the Internet? Would you approve legislation that includes all of the above in order to compromise and get the parts that you want?In general, I do not support expansion of gaming simply to raise more state revenue. If a gaming expansion bill was to be presented with proper regulation and sufficient oversight, I would be willing to entertain a discussion.Gaming receipts should be part of a broader discussion of revenues and expenditures as we seek to return to fiscal stability.Would you make any changes to the state's new concealed carry law? Would you change exempted places where people cannot carry? In what way? Would you change training requirements? In what way? Do you support restricting assault weapons? High-capacity magazines?I support the compromise concealed carry bill that enabled Illinois to join the rest of the nation in allowing eligible residents to carry concealed weapons. Statistics from across our nation demonstrate that this measure would help improve public safety in Illinois.Please outline your views on public pensions in Illinois.I did not support SB 1 because I do not believe it will ultimately withstand judicial review and is unconstitutional.What other states' governors would you borrow ideas from and why?My business and public policy experience have taught me the value of being practical and learning from all kinds of people. The goal is to make government work for everyone in an efficient and economical manner. As Illinois' governor, I will search out, analyze and use any idea that could work in Illinois to the advantage of our taxpayers.Is there a better way to pay down the state's unpaid bills? What is it?A balance must be struck between revenue and goods and services to our citizens, while we make an effort to promptly pay our vendors for services provided and attempt to address the existing structural deficit. Within the framework of a path to fiscal stability, we must prioritize paying off the unpaid bills within the budget.What is your view of the tax breaks granted to companies like Motorola Mobility, Navistar and Sears, and should state tax breaks be given to companies moving from one Illinois municipality to another?I want to help ensure that businesses can grow in Illinois, but the existing process is reactive and rigid. Illinois needs an economic development process that positions us for competitive success. Tax incentives should be used as part of a strategy that strengthens Illinois' economy and helps our workforce. I would look at a comprehensive package of tax incentives, one that all qualifying companies would be eligible to receive. The EDGE program must be able to address "objectively" the questions of revenue impact and the cost/benefit to the state. When the state issues a tax credit, there is a ramification to state revenue. The state's economic development administrators need to understand and openly present how much the cost/benefit ratio would be and make an objective recommendation to me as Governor. I will make the final decision based on whether the taxpayers of Illinois get more in return for having a certain kind of tax credit rather than not having it.My contention is that when we change tax policy, it should be structured so that all are eligible to participate. If it's good enough for one company, then it should be good enough for all companies that meet the criteria.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?I feel my most impactful legislative accomplishment was sponsoring, negotiating and navigating the passage of HB 5567 (P.A. 92-848) into law. The legislation implemented a new Medicaid payment methodology for long term care, skilled nursing homes using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment instead of the Inspection of Care Process (IOC). The change provided statewide parity for nursing homes based on the actual costs incurred with the care provided rather than the outdated method of average costs. The previous Medicaid reimbursement for the long term care system varied greatly from region to region of the state. In simple terms, the change provided for reimbursement based on the acuity and medical needs of the resident as opposed to the geographic location.The change in law was the outgrowth of a House Republican Long Term Care Task Force that I chaired to study nursing home reimbursement in Illinois. To insure a broad and comprehensive geographic overview, the Task Force held public hearings throughout Illinois. The entire process to change the law took about three years. It was complicated, with multiple constituencies having vested interests. It was minutia without high profile headlines. It was an important policy change to enhance the continuum of care for our elderly.