Tom Weber: Candidate profile, Illinois 64th House District

Incumbent Republican Tom Weber faces a challenge from Democrat Leslie Armstrong-McLeod in the race for Illinois' 64th House District, which includes the Chain O' Lakes State Park, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and portions of Crystal Lake, Island Lake and Wauconda.

Q: Should Speaker Madigan resign from his leadership positions? If he does not resign, will you support him for a new term as House speaker?

A: I have never and would never vote for Michael Madigan for speaker of the House, and I believe he should step down immediately. Illinois residents deserve better and are fed up with self-dealing politicians like Madigan, who have created an even greater lack of trust in our government.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how do you propose tackling it in the legislature?

A: The overwhelming majority of constituents I speak with are concerned with high taxes. It's becoming harder to make ends meet, and the recent tax hikes the governor signed into law have had an immense impact on every family in my district; increased vehicle registration fees and increased fuel tax are just two examples of the burden continued to be placed on Illinoisans.

Taxpayers have had enough and need immediate relief. Too many in government believe good legislators are those who come up with creative ways of collecting more taxes from residents. I believe a good legislator is someone who can balance a budget and keep more dollars in families' pockets.

Q: The graduated income tax is designed with the intent to reduce taxes for 97 percent of Illinoisans. Do you believe that will happen? Why or why not? What assurances can be given to voters?

A: No, I do not support the graduated income tax, which will drive more families and job creators from our state. There will never be enough wealthy people to support the Democrats' appetite for spending.

Our current flat tax is a fair tax, where everyone pays the same rate. Making more division between people based on income is not the answer.

The governor's proposed rates are not codified, and once Democrats realize they need more money to spend they will be able to change rates and brackets to whatever they want with a simple majority vote. This should frighten every middle-class family.

Q: ComEd officials have acknowledged in an agreement with the federal government that it funneled money through contractors to friends and colleagues of Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan. What do you think should happen as a result of this. Specifically, how should potential legislation impacting ComEd be handled next session?

A: I have called for comprehensive ethics reforms to be adopted in the state legislature - to prevent any more corruption from infiltrating our statehouse. While the legal process will play out, Speaker Madigan has been named in the federal investigation and he must answer to that. The first step to do that is through the Special Investigating Committee. That committee will help find the answers we need to move forward in the right direction.

Q: Describe at least two circumstances in which you have shown or would show a willingness and capacity to act independently of the direction or demands of party leadership.

A: I work across the aisle as much as possible because I want to pass and support good legislation, as I have done so many times. Most recently, I worked with Democrat Rep. Andrade to submit HR0830. This bill is in regard to the transition of our Youth in Care to Youth Managed Care. We are both passionate when it comes to protecting our Illinois foster children and making sure that they have necessary care and specialists readily available.

In January, I initiated the first meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers, IDNR, Fox Water Way and others to address problems our residents face with flooding, recreational use and environmental protection of the Chain of Lakes and Fox River.

We are still working together and making progress. I have also worked with one of our local families to address an issue with Wisconsin DUI Laws. It was brought to my attention that Wisconsin is not a member of the Driver's License Compact. Members of the DLC notify other states when driving violations occur, including DUI's involving death.

We have reached out and are still communicating with a member of the Wisconsin Legislature to encourage Wisconsin to become a member of the compact.

Q: How would you rate the governor's handling of the COVID-19 crisis? Does the legislature need to have more input and influence in establishing rules and policies related to stemming the spread of the disease? What you have done differently, if anything? If nothing, please say so.

A: Unfortunately, the governor has chosen to routinely act alone in this pandemic by making decisions that affect Illinois families and our state and local economies without consulting the legislature. For me, this was a huge misstep.

The legislature should have been involved in determining what the best response efforts would be. To that end, it should have been a localized, regional approach from the beginning. The fact that big box stores could be open and selling items that smaller businesses sell - but were forced to close their doors - was a huge disservice to our small business community and local economy.

Moving forward, the legislature needs to be convened to debate how best to move Illinois out of this public health crisis and toward economic recovery. There is no reason the legislature cannot be consulted on key issues that impact the lives of Illinois residents, families and businesses statewide.

Q: Regardless of whether the federal government provides assistance, what is the impact of the pandemic on the state's economic outlook and what immediate and long-term actions should be taken to address it? Would you support increasing taxes to pay for COVID-19 response or to make up for lost revenue related to COVID-19?

A: With businesses forced to close during the pandemic, the state is losing revenue that we can't afford to lose. I will support an economic recovery plan that supports our business community and is one that ensures they can open and continue to operate safely. I do not support any tax increases to cover our COVID-19 response. Any increases to our already heavy tax burden will only force more families and businesses out of Illinois.

Q: Do you support any type of tax on retirement benefits?

A: Absolutely not. We have made promises to senior citizens and they have made retirement decisions based on those promises. We don't need more taxes, we need to reduce spending.

Q: Should Illinois prohibit lawmakers from lobbying other levels of government? Should lawmakers be prohibited from becoming lobbyists after their term in office? For how long?

A: All elected officials should be prohibited from lobbying while serving in office and should be a minimum two years between.

Q: What are the most important components that should be included in legislative ethics reform? What will you do to help them come to pass?

A: I have supported the call for a special session on ethics reform. If the governor would convene that, ethics reform could be brought up in the legislature - and passed. We can't afford to waste any more time - Illinois residents deserve far better.

We need term limits to stop the out of touch career politicians. We need to implement enhanced disclosure forms for politicians and implement an independent fair map commission to stop the gerrymandering of districts to favor one party over the other.

I will continue to speak out and support meaningful reforms.

Q: What should the state do to address the still-growing problems with its key pension programs?

A: We need to be aggressive about offering our employees options that not only treat them fairly but are affordable, such as utilizing 401ks instead of pushing them into our overburdened pension systems.

It is important that we implement reforms that honor both our tax payers and our employees, to ensure that we can meet our obligations not only for today but going forward.

We need an honest effort to pay down pension debt and fulfill our liabilities while eliminating new spending.

Q: Do you believe climate change is caused by human activity? What steps should state government be taking to address the issue?

A: I believe that human activity does have an impact on climate change and that we all have an obligation to do our part to take care of our planet. I think small steps can be taken every day by individuals worldwide - not just in Illinois.

One specific effort I backed last year in the General Assembly (SB1392) will examine microplastics and their presence in public drinking water. Ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water is essential to human health, but removing any plastics in our water will have a larger impact on our planet.

This legislation is one step forward to improving both public health and our environmental longevity.

I also recently sponsored a Drug Take Back event along with the McHenry County Sheriff's Department which was very successful. Often times these drugs are flushed down the drain or end up in our landfills. These types of actions help to protect our environment and drinking water.

Q: Protesters have massed in the streets in Chicago and other cities across Illinois for greater social justice and changes in the funding and responsibilities for police. How significant a role does systemic racism play in limiting equal opportunity in Illinois? To the degree that it exists, what should be done about it? What, if any, changes should be made in funding and duties of police?

A: I do not believe in defunding the police. However, communities can invest in real, systemic changes with training and tools that improve safety for police officers and citizens. Changes aren't going to happen overnight, but I am committed to working with local elected officials, law enforcement, and the larger community, to have meaningful conversations that will ensure the best interests of the residents in Lake and McHenry counties.