Kathleen Carrier: Candidate Profile

Back to 42nd State House District

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: Carol StreamWebsite: www.votecarrier4rep.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 42nd State House District Age: 60Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: CaregiverEducation: COD ~ Associate DegreeNational-Louis University ~ BSMCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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?Springfield has become a very hostile environment. To move forward, one needs to take the first step. Start with the things you do agree on and go from there. On the surface term limits sound like a good idea. Having term limits would eliminate entrenched politicians. However, it also takes choice away from the constituent's. Keep in mind, if voters continue to elect the same person, perhaps it's because they like them and approve of them. If they are unhappy with their current elected officials, find someone else to run and be sure to vote! The same goes for legislative leaders. If legislators are unhappy with the leadership, find someone else to run and vote accordingly.If you are referring to the Independent Map Coalition, I am in favor of such a move. If we have an independent group drawing the maps then neither political party can cry foul when the lines are redrawn. I will work to reach across the aisle in an effort to create dialog and promote change.Would you vote for an increase in state income taxes or sales taxes? Would you vote for new taxes, such as on services? What is your position on a graduated income tax?New revenue sources are needed. Perhaps a graduated income tax. I am not keen on increasing sales tax and taxing retirement income has the potential of hurting our most vulnerable senior citizens, many of which are already struggling to make ends meet. I would be willing to investigate a tax on servicesWhat changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.I need to glean a better understanding of how the formula works before I could give any suggestions regarding changes.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?We need to cut spending. However, not by cutting the social safety net out from under our most vulnerable citizens. We need to come up with creative ways to increase revenue without imposing additional burdensome taxes. Illinois has some of the highest corporate tax rates. However, because of tax loopholes, many corporations don't actually pay at this high rate. If we were to close corporate tax loopholes, we might be able to lower the rates and still generate revenue.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?The unfunded pension liability is a multi-faceted issue which is literally decades in the making. To come up with a "solution" is going to take an almost forensic-like examination of what is or is not taking place. At the risk of sounding glib, an obvious answer would be increasing revenue and reduce spending. I would not, however, be in favor of taking benefits away from retirees.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to take a much closer look at the opioid problem that is plaguing our communities and work closely with the municipalities to develop a path to recover/cure. Additionally, I would like to see Illinois create more clean air initiatives. Develop more wind farms and increase the use of solar panels on public buildings.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I have the utmost respect for Jan Schakowsky whom I regard as an outstand leader.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, always tell the truth and be kind to people.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Perhaps, I would have finished college sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I liked science and some history. Both gave me a better understanding of the world around me.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard, always tell the truth and be kind to people.