Q&A with Walker

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that? What will be your main priority in office?

It's obvious the state government is not operating properly and I believe I can utilize my business experience to help state government cut their costs and meet the needs of the people of Illinois. My business is fixing organizations that are not working, and I can do this with state government. Because I have never held elected office I can bring a fresh approach to meet the needs of our communities and economy with a new vision for economic development and job creation in northern Illinois, new ways to make government more efficient and change the way budgeting and decisions are made in state government.As I have walked and talked with thousands of voters in our area, they are frustrated with all levels of government. I want us to be proud of our government again. We must find ways to eliminate pay-to-play politics, political games in Springfield and to get past the partisanship. As state representative (in no particular order):

• Work to ensure veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are provided state of the art care from state facilities and receive the education and job placement services they deserve.

• Fight for tax reform to benefit the middle class and ensure that the tax burden is spread fairly across socioecomonic lines; at the same time, creating an environment that makes Illinois more competitive for business.

• Pass stricter government ethics reform, including the support of a recall provision for elected officials and a ban on pay-to-play politics at both state and local governments.

• Push a capital construction bill that specifies a guaranteed amount of funding for the 66th District. Rebuild and expand our transportation infrastructure.

• Back tougher laws that protect our children from sex offenders and other predators.

• Support local school districts by providing for no unfunded mandates, while encouraging new ways to prepare our students to compete in the new world economy.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

My wide and deep experience in the business world, in management, finance and international business, brings significant skills that can be utilized in solving the organizational and financial problems that plague our state government. In addition, my volunteer experience in the community represents the ability to work in a nonpartisan way to deliver concrete results. As founder and chair of the "Drive to Revive Arlington Heights Memorial Park," I have brought the community, business leaders and local government entities together to rebuild a facility to honor our veterans. As chair of the NW Suburban Veterans Council, I have spearheaded efforts to craft legislation that provides new and creative ways to better serve all of our veterans. As a member of the Park Foundation Board, I have pushed to provide children and families a safe, enriching and open environment, which future generations will enjoy.

3. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support raising the state income or sales tax? Please explain.

The families in my district are in dire need of tax relief! I do not support any proposal that would increase the tax burden on the middle class. Unfortunately, the federal government's tax policy is not providing the middle class tax relief they so desperately need in a difficult economy.

4. Do you support the expansion of gambling by adding slot machines at racetracks? Do you favor licensing and building new casinos? Please explain.

We are proud to have a world-class racetrack as part of our community, and as a family-friendly tourist attraction for our region. However, I am not convinced that we need to have slot machines in order to ensure its continued financial success. Most of the residents I speak to do not favor that expansion at Arlington Park. I would, however, like to work with Arlington to support them in attracting bigger handles and purses. I do not favor expanding gaming beyond the licenses already available. I favor tightening up the state's gaming regulations, whether or not gaming expands. We have to make sure that we have the regulatory infrastructure in place to deal with increased gambling in the state and to prevent organized crime from getting a toehold here. More state support should be devoted to helping problem gamblers and preventing them from gaining access to Illinois facilities. We also must be careful in our placement of off-track betting facilities, especially avoiding residential areas, schools and day care sites.

5. Would you support giving voters the ability to recall elected officials?

Yes. It is a fundamental of participatory democracy that when our leaders do not perform properly, we have ways to remove them. We need to craft the process such that it is not used frivolously.

6. Did you support the suburban tax increases that were used to keep the public transportation trains and buses running without cuts or fare increases?

We do need to solidify our financial support for the RTA, but in the current economy, tax increases, especially on middle-income and lower-income families are not realistic. If we can pass a capital bill, money need not be diverted from mass transit to go into road construction. Since transportation infrastructure, as well as mass transit for workers, are important to our regional economic success, we must find and use all federal sources. The whole process of negotiating a mass transit bill, and then breaking the financial structure at the last moment in order to offer free rides to seniors, was irresponsible.

7. If you are elected, will you vote for the current party leader of your legislative chamber? Why or why not?

I have made no commitments to anyone regarding the election. I will vote for whoever is best able to get beyond the partisan bickering and move Illinois forward, and best understands the needs of my district.

8. What do you think of the idea, widely circulated, of impeaching Gov. Blagojevich?

As I walk my district, I have heard from many, many voters who favor the idea of removing the governor. They are fed up with how he has conducted himself in office, and have lost faith in his ability to lead, and lost faith in the process of government itself. We must fix this.