Grant Wehrli: 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: NapervilleWebsite: www.grant4illinois.comOffice sought: 41st District Representative Age: 45Family: Married to Sharon Wehrli for over 22 years. Two sons, Jake and Luke.Occupation: Sales and business management consultantEducation: Attended Florida Institute of Technology and Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Aviation Management and Aviation Flight Major.Civic involvement: Naperville City Councilman 2005-present. Naperville Development Partnership board member. Riverwalk Commission member. Naper Settlement board member. Naperville Plan Commission former Chairman. Coach of youth athletics including football, baseball and soccer.Elected offices held: Councilman, City of Naperville 2005 to present.Questions Answers How will you work to make the General Assembly function more productively and effectively? Wlll you vote to retain your party's current legislative leader? In what specific ways do you support changing how government in Springfield works?Illinois is in a financial mess and solutions must be found in a bipartisan manner. As a councilman in Naperville I have worked collaboratively with others to provide solutions to the problems we face. I will bring the same collaborative mindset while dealing with the massive problems of the budget, job creation, business environment or any other issue we need to address that leads to the betterment of Illinois. Our problems need to be solved by the General Assembly now and not kicked down the road... again. I, unlike those on the Democratic side, am not beholden to any leader.If the Supreme Court, strikes down the SB 1 pension reform, what is your Plan B and why do you think it would be both legal and effective?I have had an eye on the state pension problem since 2005 and have found the "standoff" posture from all interested parties to be counterproductive. The taxpayers cannot carry any greater financial burden nor can we turn our backs on state employees who have earned benefits. Without reform state pension plans are on the path to insolvency. If SB 1 is found unconstitutional a solution that respects the taxpayer while honoring the pensions earned must be found.As it stands now, the 2011 income tax increase will expire as planned on Jan. 1. Do you think that expiration should be reconsidered? Would you support making the increase permanent or extending it for some period of time? Please be specific about what level of tax increase, if any, you would support.The temporary 67% income tax increase should be allowed to expire. Our state now has record revenues yet across all funds we do not have a balanced budget while spending has increased. A thorough review of all entitlement programs needs to occur. I will not support any new spending or tax increase unless we have a truly balanced budget and a detailed review of all spending.Do you support cuts in state spending? If so, what specifically do you suggest cutting and how will those cuts be sufficient to restore the state's financial health and economic climate?All expenses, especially entitlement programs as they are the largest part of the budget, must undergo a detailed review to expose opportunities for savings. All programs need to be justified as there are savings to be found. The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative is an example of tens of millions of dollars wasted. In order to restore our state's financial health and economic climate we need to have a truly balanced budget, a sound five year financial plan and remove barriers and obstacles to business growth. Making these changes would not only grow our economy but would lead to job creation.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education? Would you support the the so-called pension cost-shift to local schools?Warrenville and Naperville residents repeatedly have voiced their concerns to me about high property taxes. I cannot support the pension cost-shift as it would only provide a much larger financial burden on property tax bills. The state's first priority outside of public safety should be quality education. The state needs to reprioritize how, and to what programs, tax dollars are appropriated with a greater emphasis on successful educational practices and programs.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Four of the first five questions asked dealt with either spending or revenue confirming that budget and finances are obviously the top issues. Jobs and a growing economy closely follow finances and budget as a priority and are directly dependent on each other. However, in order to get our economy and thus the jobs market going again we need to make Illinois a business friendly state. A truly balanced budget, a sound financial plan, investing wisely in education and infrastructure while removing competitive disadvantages placed on businesses by the state will lead to growing private sector and in turn, jobs.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Theo Epstein, GM, Chicago Cubs. He charged with turning around an organization that hasn't hit its goal for over 100 years.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?growing up in a large family you learn to think before you speak. It can be hard to get a word in; make it meaningful!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't us it. I've learned valuable lessons in life, especially from the setbacks.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?State and Local Politics taught by Mr. Geitner. The man loved to debate any side and I learned to appreciate multiple viewpoints of a problem.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be kind to everyone. You have no idea what struggles in life others are dealing with. Your kindness could make all the difference.