JoAnn Franzen: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: RoselleWebsite: http://www.joannfranzen.comOffice sought: 45th District RepresentativeAge: 51Family: Married, two children in collegeOccupation: Home healthcare provider, Candidate for State Representative District 45Education: Some college - emphasis in ManagementCivic involvement: Scout Den Leader - Religious Ed Teacher - Precinct Committeeman - Feed My Starving Children - PTO at Gradeschool - Volunteer Parent for After School SportsElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Future StabilityKey Issue 2 Jobs back home to IllinoisKey Issue 3 Helping low income families and those with disabilitiesQuestions Answers How would you fix the state's pension gap? Should pension costs be shifted to suburban school districts? Why or why not? Should this issue be voted on in a lame-duck session? Why or why not? How can partisan gridlock be eased to solve the crisis?Lower the benefits of new employees with pension plans. Force Illinois to balance its budget without taking from those with disabilities and senior citizens. - No, the pension costs should not be shifted to suburban school districts. The suburban schooHow, specifically, would you cut the budget? What does Illinois need to do to fix its status as a "deadbeat state?" How will you vote on future gambling bills? What is your view of slots at racetracks? Casino expansion?Cut the budget: 1. Pensions - cut benefits to new employees since our state cannot meet its prior commitment for the old ones - let alone the new ones coming in 2. Stop most or all incentives for corporations 3. Cut healthcare costs since the AffordableWhat can you do specifically to help the economy in your district? How can you help create jobs in your district and statewide? What is your view of the tax breaks granted to companies like Motorola Mobility, Navistar and Sears?Provide incentives for small businesses, make it easier for those businesses to get loans so that they can start up. Also, give small businesses tax breaks if they offer health insurance and other benefits to their employees. As stated above, we must coDo you favor limiting how much money party leaders can give candidates during an election? If elected, do you plan to vote for the current leader of your caucus? Why or why not? Do you support or oppose campaign contribution limits? Please explain.No, campaign fundraising is a freedom of speech. it should not be regulated. - Yes, I would vote for Speaker Madigan because he has been an effective Leader thus far in the general Assembly.Should gay marriage be legalized in Illinois? Should it be voted on in a lame-duck session as civil unions were? Should Illinois define life as beginning at conception? How would you vote on a concealed carry plan? Should the death penalty return?Yes, gay marriage should be legalized in Illinois. - I do not believe the timing of the vote will determine the outcome. - No, Illinois should not define life As beginning at conception. - Depending on what the concealed carry plan entails will give me insight into how I would vote. - the death penalty should not return.