Kirk Dillard: 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: HinsdaleWebsite: http://www.dillardtracy.com/Office sought: Governor Age: 58Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Senator Dillard is an honors graduate of Western Illinois University in Macomb with a degree in Political Science and Economics and a Juris Doctorate degree from DePaul University.Civic involvement: Dillard serves on the Board of Directors for Health Education in Hinsdale, as well as the College of DuPage Foundation Board. He is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council for DePaul University College of Law, and the Advisory Board of Friends of Rush Children's Hospital. Dillard is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Crain's 'Who's Who in Chicago Business', founding member of the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, Economic Development Corporation of Downers Grove, and the former Chairman of the DuPage County Republican Party.Elected offices held: State Senator 24th DistrictHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I love Illinois. I want to restore fiscal stability ethics. I want to assure that our children's future includes jobs, a competitive education a good quality of life. I can make a visible, positive improvement in the economy jobs over the next four years. It is my priority to get families back to work make Illinois a Destination Economy for employers.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?With nearly 20 years as a suburban lawmaker, and service as Jim Edgar's Chief of Staff, I have more â#128;~hands on' experience running government than my opponents. I don't just talk about issues. I've sponsored passed legislation creating jobs, beefing up ethics prohibitions, enhancing public safety, and prioritizing suburban transportation needs.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 want to roll back this tax increase. I have never voted for an income tax increase; no one has ever taxed and spent their way into prosperity. Tax cuts, the elimination of onerous regulations and my $2 billion Medicaid Reform Plan will be a start. The Senate GOP Budget Reform Plan to replace deficits and phase-out the income tax increase will save funds.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?To relieve pressure on state finances, I support limited casino expansion if approved locally. I also support slot machines at race tracks since they help the racing industry and Illinois agriculture. I do not support internet gambling. I would consider compromise legislation, but it would depend on the final bill's specifics.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 conceal carry law which was the result of negotiations to develop a fair, common sense compromise between gun rights gun control advocates. As a dad with young children, I'm concerned about high capacity weapons public safety, but my support for any changes would depend on how the law is drafted or defined.Please outline your views on public pensions in Illinois.Pension costs are crowding out spending for schools other needs. Civil servant pensions must be reformed, but in a way that is fair to current future employees. I voted against the recent plan because it was drafted behind closed doors, ram-rodded through the legislature in 2 days, didn't prevent the â#128;~savings' from being wasted on more govt spending.What other states' governors would you borrow ideas from and why?Ohio Gov. Kasich closed an $8B shortfall cut taxes by $3B. He eliminated the inheritance tax, modernized Medicaid, reduced bureaucracy.Gov. Daniels, turned Indiana around and it's now cited as a top state for business-attraction. Kansas Gov. Brownback created the â#128;~Office of the Repealer" to eliminate laws that were ineffective or cumbersome.Is there a better way to pay down the state's unpaid bills? What is it?The best way to pay down the state's unpaid bills is not to accrue any more debt and balance the State's budget! We must live within our means, and grow the economy by creating avenues to economic opportunities. As Governor I will push for a constitutional amendment that ensures a balanced budget, or the legislators that passed it won't get paid.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?My first priority will be to help existing Illinois employers. Creating a positive environment, through my Destination Economy plan, will build more jobs and help both large and small companies prosper.I support tax breaks for companies so long as we require not only job retention, but job creation as part of any tax incentive package.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?As the father of 2 young children, my concern for Illinois runs deep. I want to make sure our kids live 15 minutes away - not 15 hours. That's what keeps me up at night. When I talk about getting the state's house in order, creating more jobs, and restoring trust in govt, I'm really talking about the future of all of our families. And that's what drives me.