Carolyn Schofield: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: www.citizensforcarolynschofield.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 66th State House District Age: 43Family: Husband- SteveChildren- Griffin, Mary Clare and NolanOccupation: McHenry County Board/ prior Loss Control Engineer and Product Liability SpecialistEducation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Bachelors of Science in General Engineering with Environmental Quality SpecializationCivic involvement: 2013-present Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Board/Local Coordinating Committee2014-present Northwest Water Planning Alliance Board of Directors2009-present McHenry County Youth Sports Association Board of Directors/Secretary2012-present Lundahl Middle School PTO President1999-2009 Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission2009 Jaycees Distinguished Service award recipient 2008-2013 Girl Scout Troop LeaderOther volunteer service: -McHenry County League of Women Voters-McHenry County Conservation District-Crystal Lake Community Harvest/Crystal Lake Food Pantry -McHenry County Republican Women's Club-Crystal Lake Soccer Federation-Salvation Army-Glacier Ridge PTA/ past Vice-president-Hunters Ridge North HOA Board -The Animal House Shelter -FIRST Challenge judge -Junior AchievementElected offices held: 2012-present McHenry County Board District 22009-2012 Crystal Lake City Council2012-present Grafton 8 Republican Precinct Committeeman 2012-2014 Grafton Township Republican Vice ChairmanQuestions Answers What needs to be done structurally to make the legislature more effective? Will you vote for your current legislative leader? What is your position on term limits in general and specifically for legislative leaders? Do you support the ongoing drive for a constitutional amendment on redistricting? What will you do to promote implementation of any changes you recommend?Today's legislative process is too heavily controlled by the House Speaker and Senate President. When one lawmaker can block a bill from being heard, the system is working against the spirit of our Constitution. Springfield needs operational rules that allow any bill to be heard when the majority of the Representatives or Senators (regardless of party) want it heard.I fully support House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. I believe his leadership qualities and professional demeanor, combined with his proven ability to work with the Governor and Speaker Madigan, have served the Republican Caucus very well.I support term limits and believe changes in representation and the infusion of new ideas can be healthy. I believe 12 years would allow lawmakers to build the necessary bipartisan relationships, facilitate a working relationship with the constituent base, and be successful and effective. Term limits for legislative leaders are especially important so there is no longer a concentration of power and control like we see today.I absolutely support the fair maps amendment proposal, which would take legislative map-drawing out of the hands of politicians and instead have districts determined solely by population and geography. In 2012, Speaker Madigan, who is also the State Chairman for the Democrat Party, created a gerrymandered map that protected his incumbents and assured his continued control of the House. With 60 votes needed to approve a bill and only 47 Republicans who vote, I would gladly work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on beneficial legislation.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems, not just for teachers but for public safety personnel as well?The Supreme Court has ruled that earned pension benefits cannot be diminished or impaired. Any changes to the pension system would therefore have to take place moving forward with monies that have not yet been paid by the pension system participants. I would support a proposal that would provide participants with an option that would allow them to stay in their current tier with a limited ability to receive raises that would boost pensionable income, or choose to move to a more affordable and sustainable system, like the current Tier II option or a 401-c3-style benefit. While police and fire pensions are paid by municipalities, it is an unfunded mandate handed down from the General Assembly, which sets the parameters for municipal-level public safety pensions. I am an advocate for reducing the number of unfunded mandates, and also for local control. I would support an effort to allow municipalities to have more flexibility in the pension benefit they offer, keeping in mind changes would have to be Constitutional. I would also support allowing municipalities to join a cooperative association or group pool for disability insurance, since disability claims have a significant impact on costs.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made? Specifically, what tax increases, changes in tax policy or other opportunities for revenue growth do you support? What is your position on a graduated income tax?The best way to balance the budget is to increase the number of taxpayers by adding jobs. Over the last two years alone, Illinois has lost almost 20,000 manufacturing jobs while neighboring states have gained manufacturing jobs. If Illinois doesn't become more competitive and focus on job growth, a tax increase will be unavoidable. If elected, I will do everything in my power to create jobs and grow the Illinois economy, so that budgets can be balanced without a tax increase. In addition to job growth, I support the completion of a comprehensive eligibility audit of the Medicaid system so that only those who meet income, eligibility and other requirements are receiving benefits. This audit is estimated to yield $1.6 billion in savings. I would also recommend strengthening accountability standards and collection practices so that those who are supposed to make reduced payments for services are forced to pay their portion for the benefits they are receiving. Lastly, I fully support a constitutional fix to the pension crisis, which would have a dramatic positive effect on future budgets.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education and education funding? How will you act to promote the changes you wish to see?Education needs to be student-centered and not centered around state and federal mandates. There is no "one-size-fits-all" template that ensures a successful education, and public schools need flexibility so they can create a curriculum that benefits their unique demographic of students. In all cases, I would support expanding dual-credit and AP classwork that allows college-bound students to receive college credit while in high schools. This has the potential to significantly cut college costs for Illinois families. The House has convened a bipartisan Education Funding Task Force which is looking at current inequities and exploring possible solutions that would allow for a funding system that is fair for all students and taxpayers. I look forward to reading their findings. I would support legislation that protects suburban taxpayers and the investments they make in their local school districts, and would fight to keep more of our local tax dollars here rather than sending them downstate and into the City of Chicago. Communities that have had successful voter-led referenda to boost school funding should not be penalized for that community choice. I would also support realigning assessments statewide so that Cook County, which is currently only assessed at 10% of EAV, would be treated the same as the rest of Illinois, which is assessed at 33%.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?2007: Crystal Lake City Council- Unsuccessful2009: Crystal Lake City Council- Top Vote-Getter2012: McHenry County Board- Successful 2012 and 2014: Grafton 8 Precinct Committeeman- SuccessfulWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?District 66 deserves to be represented by a proven leader with a history of fighting for tax relief. In three years on the County Board, I voted twice to freeze the tax levy, and once to reduce it. These votes saved taxpayers more than $10 million. I have also fought for government efficiencies. As a result, today's budget is $23 million lower than it was in 2013, and the number of county employees is down 12% during that time. I have also taken numerous votes that strengthen local control. I will take these priorities with me to the Illinois House.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mark Zuckerberg for pledging 99% of his Facebook stock worth during his life to "promote equality and the human potential".What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Education is important. Whether it is through books or life, a quest for more knowledge is fundamental in being a productive member of society.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would worry less, stress less, and enjoy every moment more.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was math. My ability and passion to problem solve lead me into the engineering field and into a life of public service.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?It is alright to make mistakes. You do not need to be perfect. You should enjoy life and learn from your mistakes.