Terry Link: Candidate profile

Bio: Terry Link

City: Vernon Hills

Website: http://senatorlink.com/

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Party: Democrat

Office sought: 30th District State Senate

Age: 71

Family: Wife, Susan, four daughters, four sons-in-law and five grandchildren

Occupation: Illinois State Senator

Education: Stout State University

Civic involvement: State Senator since 1997, Chairman of Democratic Party of Lake County

Elected offices held: State Senator since 1997, Chairman of Democratic Party of Lake County

Questions & Answers

Would you vote to approve a graduated income tax? If so, what qualifiers would you impose and where would you set the brackets? What would the top tax rate be?

I support modernizing our tax system and have, and will continue to, support efforts to let voters decide if the Illinois Constitution should be amended to implement a graduated income tax. If a majority of voters are in favor of a graduated income tax, it would give the state more than two years to discuss brackets and how the law should be implemented.

How big a problem is the level of property taxation in Illinois? If you view it as a problem, what should be done about it?

Decreasing property taxes for the middle class is a huge priority for both me and to my constituents. We as a legislature must continue to find solutions to reform Illinois' tax system and seek alternative methods of funding to reduce our reliance on property taxes. This incompasses continued education reform efforts to help school districts lower their levies, which is a bulk of people's property tax bills.

What is your evaluation of Gov. Rauner's job performance? Please specify what you view as its highs and lows.

On a scale of one to ten, my evaluation of the Governor's job performance is a one. My biggest problem with his performance is his inability to negotiate with both sides. I give a lot of credit to Senate President Cullerton and former Minority Leader Radogno for their work on the first budget proposal since the Governor was so unwilling to sit down and negotiate with them. It's hard for me to say what any "highs" of the Governor's term have been because he's been pressured into all of his actions and has not cooperated with the General Assembly.

What is your evaluation of Senate President John Cullerton's job performance? If you voted for him for president in the last legislative session, please explain your vote.

I think Senate President is a true leader and understands the importance of negotiations and working across the aisle. This is the kind of leadership we need in Springfield. I am more confident in his performance than ever, and I plan to support him again.

Should there be term limits for legislative leaders? If so, what would you do to make that happen? What other systemic changes should be made to strengthen the voice of individual legislators, limit the control of legislative leaders, encourage bipartisanship?

I support term limits for legislative leaders and voted for the proposal when it passed in the Senate. I believe that voters always have the ability to limit the control of leadership and encourage bipartisanship by voting in elections.

How concerned should we be about Illinois' population loss? What needs to be done to reverse the trend?

The trend of Illinois' population loss is very concerning. To reverse it, the state must offer people stability. This means ensuring balanced budgets each year to create a stable economy where businesses and families can have more certainty about their futures. This will, in turn, help to attract businesses to the state and create more jobs. We can also continue to invest in infrastructure, perhaps through a capital bill.

Please provide one example that demonstrates your independence from your party.

I voted against the pension bill that was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013. The party was mostly in favor of the bill and I still chose to vote against it. Through my career, I've practiced independence and have not always been lock-step with my party.

What other issues are important to you as a candidate for this office?

Preserving Illinois' environmental resources and continuing clean energy efforts, fighting for quality education, both K-12 and secondary, and protecting Illinois' most vulnerable citizens through social services for seniors, disabled individuals and veterans.

In addition, here a few questions meant to provide more personal insight into you as a person:

What's the hardest decision you ever had to make?

Voting on the abolishment of the death penalty, which I ultimately voted in favor of. It was difficult to assess, as I believe heinous crimes deserve an adequate punishment. My decision came down to the errors made in the criminal justice process and the possibility of innocent individuals being put to death.

Who is your hero?

The people in the 30th district who have had confidence in me for 22 years.

Each amendment in the Bill of Rights is important, but which one of those 10 is most precious to you?

The First Amendment

What lesson of youth has been most important to you as an adult?

I was taught to listen and know when to talk, a lesson that holds true in the General Assembly.

Think back to a time you failed at something. What did you learn from it?

Dust yourself off and never stop trying if you're fighting for something you believe in.