Q&A with McGuire

1. Why are you running for office?

I am running for State Representative because I want to shake things up in Springfield and bring the perspective of someone who is not a politician and not a political insider, but an educator and small business owner who truly wants to make life better for residents in the 96th District, and across the state. I want to utilize my experience as a teacher and small business owner to bring fresh ideas to Springfield and restore fiscal responsibility and ethics to state government. I am tired of the corruption and gridlock that plagues our state and prevents us from moving forward. I believe in reaching across party lines and I have worked with Democratic and Republican legislators in the past on education policy. Our community needs someone who will move past partisan politics, roll up their sleeves and get some work done. If elected, I will work to maintain our community's quality schools, offer businesses incentives to set up shop in Illinois and create jobs for Illinois workers. I am particularly focused on re-developing the I-88 corridor by promoting green technology so we can re-employ our local workforce. I also want to pass a capital plan that directs funding to our district so we can improve infrastructure and create jobs, pass stricter laws on sex offenders and ensure that veterans have the benefits and services they deserve.

2. For non-incumbents, tell us what contributions you would make:

I am not a political insider, so I think I can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas- and integrity to our state capital. My teaching background is critical since a significant amount of legislation introduced in Springfield involves education issues. I have spent my life working with the children and families of this community to make their lives better. I have been with them when they faced their toughest challenges and biggest triumphs, and I want to continue to fight for them in Springfield. I also taught children the meaning of integrity every day, and I will continue to share that message in Springfield. One of the biggest challenges our state faces is a downward spiraling economy, and as a small business owner, I know how to balance a budget, make tough financial decisions and practice overall fiscal responsibility.

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

Families in the 96th House District, and across the state, pay too much in taxes. In particular, our property taxes are getting so high that many residents my age and older feel they can not afford to stay here. We need to provide tax relief for these families - not tax increases. I am not in favor of any measure that would increase the tax burden on middle or lower income families.

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

As a teacher and resident of this community for 30 years, and as someone who is walking door to door every day for at least eight hours a day, this is not an issue that comes up or is on the minds of local residents. I think most 96th District residents would be opposed to increasing gaming. I also don't think this issue is the determining factor in voters' minds when they make their decisions as to who they are voting for, but overall, I feel that we have enough gambling in this state, and with gaming revenues on the decline, banking on gaming to solve our budgetary problems is not the most fiscally responsible decision. If the state did expand gaming, I would push for stronger ethical guidelines to make sure that organized crime does not get involved, and we must make sure that funding is devoted to addiction programs so Illinois residents with gambling addictions can get the help they need.

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

Yes. This will enable voters to remove someone from office who is not living up to the responsibility and duties of their office, especially if they are engaged in any sort of corruption, and keep elected officials on their toes. This ability is rarely used in the states that do allow it, but it is an important tool to remove someone from office who is not effectively serving their constituency.

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

With the economy not getting better any time soon, I can not support any measure that would raise taxes on middle and lower income families. Gas prices are unbearable, and as a result, people are utilizing public transportation more frequently, helping bring in more revenue. The federal government must also step up to the plate and provide our state with what it deserves. Lastly, passing a capital plan to improve roads and infrastructure will help with the transportation challenges we face, and we must invest in programs like this.

7. If you are elected, will you vote for the current party leader of your legislative chamber?

I am focused on winning this race. I am not concerned with an election that will take place after November. I haven't made any commitments, and I will vote for the person that is most qualified to lead who I hope will be my colleagues. Who ever that person is, he or she must be open minded and have a significant understanding of the state constitution and separation of powers so we can operate ethically and fairly in Springfield.

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

If I had been state representative when the recall amendment came before the legislature, I would have voted for it. With that being said, I have talked to many, many voters about this, and I have not come across a single voter who thinks that Governor Blagojevich has done a good job. In fact, most 96th District residents I have spoken with support impeachment and want to see the governor removed from office. We are fed up with the corruption and it frustrates me that there are so many disenchanted voters in this state, and in large part, it is because of the governor and politicians like him. The legislature should impeach the governor if he is found to have engaged in criminal activities, and look into how effectively he is running this state to determine if he should be impeached for other reasons, other then criminal ones.