Kathleen Willis: Candidate Profile

Back to 77th 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: AddisonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 77th State House District Age: 54Family: husband, Tom Children, Elyse 31, Heather 29, John 26, Victoria 26Occupation: Full time legislatorEducation: Masters degree in Library science from UIUBachelors degree in Human Service Admin from Elmhurst CollegeCivic involvement: While my children were growing up I was extremely involved in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTA, and High School Booster Clubs.Was a member of the Addison Special Events Committee.I still am involved in Addison's education Foundation and KiwanisElected offices held: Addison School Board Dist 4 2000-2012Questions 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?I am angry about the lack of progress in Legislature the last two years. My constituents are tired of the extreme partisanship in Springfield and I join them in their frustration. They want progress, as I do, on ensuring the wage of middle class families are not lowered, schools receive proper investments and our seniors and disabled children are not negatively impacted.I walk door to door for several hours and make hundreds of phone calls each week to make sure I stay in communication with local residents. Through this effort, I learn a lot about their priorities and concerns. I will continue these outreach activities in the future as I develop further my legislative agenda and work to best represent my constituents.I am supportive of term limits but would need to review the specifics of any proposal.In terms of redistricting, I backed House in House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 58, a plan supported by many government reform organizations.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?I do not support increasing taxes on the middle-class taxpayers that I represent and I would evaluate any specific proposal with that caveat in mind. I believe that millionaires should pay their fair share and support efforts to increase taxes on the wealthiest Illinoisans.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.I believe Illinois' school funding system is broken. As negotiations and debate continues on this vital topic, I will only support proposals that do not hurt the schools and students I represent. As we progress on this topic, all stakeholders, including parents, taxpayers, school professionals and students must be involved in the process.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?There are several ideas that I support to reduce state spending, such as common sense proposals to eliminate the state vehicle and air fleet; consolidating the offices of comptroller and treasurer; eliminating the lieutenant governor's office; and consolidating duplicative government agenciesWhat approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?Because of the recent court rulings, any solution must reflect the most recent interpretation of the court. We must do something. All changes should be fair to both taxpayers and to the public employees who will be impacted. I have voted to fully fund our pensions every year since I have been in office, and I hope we will continue that policy. When I took office I forfeited my legislative pension.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am very concerned about the access and use of guns in my district, and have worked with advocates to craft bills requiring more oversight and mental health checks. In addition, I look forward to continuing my work for property tax relief, a common issue I hear raised at the door by constituents. Finally, I hope to make more progress in supporting policies that allow small business to hire more workers and expand their operations in our area.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always be honest, because lies are alway found out.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have finished college before I got married. I never regretted getting married but it was difficult going back to school at age 40.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved social sciences and political science. Well look at me now.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself.