Patty Smith: Candidate profile
Bio:
Name: Patty Smith
City: DuPage Co Aurora Illinois
Website: VotePattySmith.com
Twitter: @PattySmithfor84
Facebook: Pattyfor84
Party: Republican
Office sought: State Representative of the 84th Distric
Age: 58
Family: I have three children Kathryn (27) Gregory (23) Elizabeth (22)
Occupation: Prairie State Legal Services Paralegal/Intake Specialist
Education: Lamar University and College Of DuPage AS in general studies: American Bar Association Certified Paralegal.
Civic involvement: I have spent more than 2 decades volunteering on various boards and committees throughout my community. Mainly in school dist. 204; PTA president at every level; IPPC, IPDC board; and Building, Education and Boundary Committees. I have continued to be an advocate for children and families with Down syndrome. In 2008, I was recognized with the Volunteer of the Year award from the city of Aurora.
Elected offices held: Director-Indian Prairie Education Foundation; Commissioner-Human Relations Commission City of Aurora; Committee-women Naperville Township GOP.
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?
No. The graduated income tax will serve as an ATM machine for reckless Springfield politicians to dream up new spending programs and claim the average person won't be hit with higher taxes. Rather than trying to increase the already crushing tax burden on Illinois residents, Springfield should be focusing on growing jobs, increasing family incomes and expanding our tax base.
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?
As I knock on doors in my district, property taxes are the number one concern I hear from families. Our families are paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation and are literally being taxed out of their homes. Our property taxes have been increasing at a much higher rate than our home values and household incomes. Springfield must shoulder a significant portion of the blame because of the unfunded mandates imposed on school districts, townships, municipalities and counties. There are many adjustments necessary to correct this, such as fair and equitable school funding, consolidation of our nearly 7000 units of government, removal of mandates and other cost drivers for local governments. As a representative of the people, property tax reform will be my top priority.
What is your evaluation of Gov. Rauner's job performance? Please specify what you view as its highs and lows.
Governor Rauner's election provided taxpayers an advocate in the executive branch for the first time in many years. His focus on improving the job climate, growing family incomes, and rooting out corruption was a welcome change of attitude from the status quo.
I disagreed with the Governor's veto of the gun dealer licensing bill this past spring which would have placed additional checks on gun sales ensuring those who sell guns are properly monitored.
What is your evaluation of Speaker Michael Madigan's (President John Cullerton's) job performance? If you voted for him for speaker (president) in the last legislative session, please explain your vote.
Speaker Madigan has been in office and in power for nearly 50 years. No one person should be in office that long, let alone wield the type of power he does. Democracy can only thrive with a constant influx of new people, fresh ideas, and representatives who truly serve the interests of their constituents. I pledge to oppose Mike Madigan's speakership, voting to deny him another term as Speaker of the Illinois House.
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?
Yes, term limits are an essential part of turning our state around. No politician should be in office for nearly 50 years like Speaker Madigan. I enthusiastically pledge to support a term limits referendum that would amend the Illinois Constitution to term-limit state lawmakers and statewide officeholders. Fair maps / redistricting reform would limit control of legislative leaders, encourage bipartisanship, and make legislators more responsive to their constituents. For too long, Illinois politicians have been choosing the voters instead of voters choosing their representatives.
How concerned should we be about Illinois' population loss? What needs to be done to reverse the trend?
In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau released data confirming Illinois had dropped below Pennsylvania as the sixth most populous state in the country, due to four consecutive years of population decline. In 2017 Illinois lost over 33,703 residents. Even more alarming is the top out-migration group is prime working age people seeking greener pastures.
Recent tax hikes have exacerbated the state's out migration. Shrinking population is bad news for long term economic growth, may influence the state's federal funding and a possible loss of a seat in the US House.
To reverse the trend the cause of outmigration must be addressed. Legislators need to get the house in order by doing the job they were sent to Springfield to do. Govern in the best interest of the people with policy rather that the current system that legislates with special interests and politics. This means supporting economic growth and pro-business policies to grow jobs and improve family incomes, supporting property tax relief, and a revenue-based budget to restore confidence in our state's fiscal future.
Please provide one example that demonstrates your independence from your party.
It is too often unfairly presumed those in the Republican Party will first look to cutting social services as a means to reduce spending. I have raised a daughter with Down syndrome; I work for a not-for profit legal agency that provides free legal series to low income residents of Illinois therefore I understand firsthand the necessity of social services and its lifeline for those in need. I understand the importance of a government that works for the people and I will always support those in need, the elderly and the frail.
What other issues are important to you as a candidate for this office?
The people of Illinois have lost faith and trust in their elected officials who constantly put politics and special interests over people and good policy. The Illinois House needs representatives who will bring ethical and accountable government to Springfield. I will go to Springfield with a clean slate, with no special interests to control me. I will hold elected officials accountable for their actions and I will always put people before politics. For me, Running for State Representative is not about politics or a career, it's about protecting taxpayers and advocating for those in need of government help.
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?
? I was born and raised in a Catholic family where our Christian sacraments were very important. I took my wedding vows and the sacrament of marriage to truly mean, until death do us part. Making the decision to divorce was the hardest decision I have ever made.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my 27-year-old daughter Kathryn who was born with Down syndrome. Kathryn begins and ends every day with a smile, puts 100% into everything she does, and sees the good in everyone. Life with Kathryn makes everyday a better day!
Each amendment in the Bill of Rights is important, but which one of those 10 is most precious to you?
First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What lesson of youth has been most important to you as an adult?
My mother was an avid believer in the golden rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" I have done my best to live by this rule and raised my own children with value the same.
Think back to a time you failed at something. What did you learn from it?
I grew up in a small blue-collar town where going to college wasn't the norm. We were expected to get a job and contribute. So that's exactly what I did. Later in life I realized the importance of a college education therefore as an adult I earned a degree and went on to obtain an American Bar Association Paralegal Certificate.