Marty Blumenthal: 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: Highland ParkWebsite: martyblumenthal.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: 58th State House District Age: 63Family: Wife, Amy. Three children. Three grandchildren.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: B.S. BiologyJ.D.C.P.A.Civic involvement: Director/Treasurer Central Avenue SynagogueDirector Chicago Center for Neurological ResearchElected 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?1. The current super-majority must be nullified to make the legislature productive.2. I would support Jim Durkin.3. I definitely support term limits. Look what 40 years of Michael Madigan has wrought on the state.4. I support the Independent Map Amendment. Currently 60% of the races are uncontested. How is that democracy in action?5. I would either sponsor a bill, co-sponsor or vote in favor of those bills.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?1. I MAY be in favor of raising the state income tax slightly BUT ONLY IF a truly balanced budget (that is no borrowing) were passed. I oppose tax on services. Legal and medical costs are already beyond the reach of many people. I favor a flat tax.What changes, if any, do you support in education and education funding in Illinois? Please be specific.Taxpayers outside of Chicago should not be bailing out Chicago Public Schools. Every student in the state should have access to the same quality of teachers, materials and resources as any other student. Without properly educated students, the state's workforce is affected.On Illinois' budget, specifically, where do you believe cuts need to be made?The state needs welfare reform as has been done successfully in several other states. All unnecessary grants have to be stopped. If the money is not for vital services or for infrastructure it is not necessary. There are too many taxing bodies (about 7,000) in Illinois. We have to get in line with what works in other states. We have to amend the constitution to allow the state to change the pension system for state employees to be on par with the private sector. The same with salaries and benefits.What approach do you support toward fixing the public pension systems?We have to amend the constitution of the state first. We have to switch to a 401(k)-type plan or defined contribution plan. The present defined-benefit plan is strangling us.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We are not doing enough to protect our environment. The lake is being used as a dumping ground for toxic waste. Local waterways are unfit for swimming. I also see the need for changes in the legal system since I practice in it. We have to change the worker's comp system since the cost is driving business out of Illinois.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Robert DoldWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Your reputation is your most valuable asset.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have studied harder and watched less TV.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I always liked the sciences. I learned to analyze like a scientist. Then analyze the data to make sure it is reliable.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't do anything to anyone else that you would not want done to you.