Q&A with Howland

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? What will be your main priority?

I am a life-long public servant. I began my career teaching emotionally disturbed and behavior disordered children. I then spent five years as an elementary school administrator in a building of 1400 students. In 1993 I began law school full-time. During that time I worked with the pro-bono and public service groups on campus. I also was the President of the entire student body, met regularly with faculty, helped develop student group programs. I am running for this office because we can do better! I am not a career politician and believe that new voices are needed in Springfield. I am tired of the bickering and lack of action. I want to offer a voice of compromise and work on bi-partisan agreements instead of getting involved in personal power struggles.

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.

I can use my expertise as an educator and administrator to work toward real solution for our educational problems. We rank 49th in the country and that is totally unacceptable! I also want to work toward more extensive ethics reform and elimination of our "pay to play" system. Illinois currently ranks as one of the most corrupt in the country. With the resources we have, we should be a leader, not a laughingstock. I want to work to pass a capital bill that will appropriate funds fairly, bring more funding to Lake County and my district (we are often overlooked)and that will focus on long-term goals rather than a short-term fix.

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

I believe we need relief for our shrinking middle class that has always been the backbone of our country. I am not in favor of any new taxes that put further stress on our middle or lower income earners. They already pay far too many taxes. We need to look at ways to reduce wasteful spending in the state and ways to grow our currently failing 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.

Most voters I talk to are not currently concerned about gambling. I recognize that there are pros and cons to any increase. It is very difficult to prevent the social ills that are associated with gambling. If any increase is passed, I would want to insure that provisions were included to restrict who gets licenses and to monitor gaming facilities to prevent the growth of organized crime. We also need to be sure we have provision to deal with gambling addiction problems. Before taking a specific stance, I would need to see the proposed legislation. There are circumstances (as listed above) where an expansion could be approved.

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

The voters I talk to seem uniformly in favor of such a proposal. However, states that have passed this type of law have rarely used it, so I am unsure as to whether it would be effective. While I believe that voters have the ability to "recall" elected officials every election cycle, I am not opposed to additional recall ability. Public servants are just that. If they drastically fail to serve the public that elected them there should be more accountability than waiting several years for the next election.

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 desperately need to invest in rebuilding our own infrastructure, however, our current economic conditions do not favor doing so at the expense of a tax increase on our already strapped middle and lower income earners. They already are taxed to the limit on gas and everything else in addition to paying much higher costs for food and everyday necessities. Currently, ridership is up on most public transportation. This should bring in an increase in revenue will help to some extent. Illinois needs to increase its efforts to obtain more federal assistance for mass transit. With todays gas prices and with future energy prices uncertain it makes sense to make mass transit a priority.

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

I am not currently beholden to any elected official and am not a career politician. I am focused on my race and am doing all that I can to increase my chances of winning in November. I want to serve the people of my district to the best of my ability to insure that their voices are heard in Springfield. When elected, I will evaluate the options and will vote accordingly.

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

As I walk door to door a majority of voters (from both parties) indicate their displeasure with the Governor. None approve of his behavior and lack of leadership. I agree that he has not delivered what he promised and has contributed to much of the gridlock we currently face. We need a governor who will spend time in Springfield, who will work with both houses, and who will put ego aside for the benefit of the state. I don't know what will happen in coming months regarding the Governor's ties to "questionable" elements, however, I believe the General Assembly may have to address the impeachment issue before his term is up. If the facts indicate misfeasance or criminal activity, I have no choice but to move to impeach him. We can't afford to continue to lose all credibility in our governmental system. We also can't afford to keep a legislator in office who is unable and unwilling to get the job done.