Copyright 2002 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc. St.
Louis Post-Dispatch
October 31, 2002 Thursday Five Star Lift
Edition
SECTION: ST. CLAIR-MONROE POST ; Pg. V3
LENGTH: 7269 words
HEADLINE: STATEWIDE RACES
BODY: GOVERNOR
Rod R.
Blagojevich
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Age: 45
Home: Chicago
Occupation: U.S.
Representative
Political experience: Illinois state
representative, two terms, 1993-96; U.S. representative, three terms,
1996-present.
If elected, what would be your three main
goals?
After 24 years of Republican mismanagement,
Illinois can do better. My campaign means opportunity - the opportunity to get a
good job; for a secure retirement; for affordable prescription drugs, ensuring
no senior has to choose between prescription drugs and food; and the opportunity
to get a good education, making sure every child learns to read by third
grade.
Other states are doing more - we're stuck in the
past. It is time for a new start, in which we reject the politics of cynicism
and inaction and embrace a future of optimism and opportunity. My candidacy is
about moving forward, creating opportunity and making Illinois better.
If we work together, we can ensure that every child can
read at grade level by the third grade, that no senior has to choose between
food and medicine; and that everyone has an opportunity to a good job and a
secure pension. Do we accept more of the same or do we move forward?
Why are you qualified for this office?
If the question is whether I am qualified to be governor, then I'd say
my nearly 10 years in the Legislature and Congress makes the answer yes. But if
the question is whether I will follow the traditional, o utdated leadership that
has led to failure, then the answer is no.
In the
Legislature, I broke with my party to support a cap on property taxes. I also
helped lead a bipartisan coalition to fight domestic violence.
In Congress I worked in a bi-partisan way to help restore millions of
federal funds to help public school lib- raries replace outdated books. I worked
with law enforcement to put more prosecutors into our communities to fight
crime. I was part of the delegation that went to Serbia to free three American
servicemen held captive there.
Web site:
www.rodforus.com
Jim Ryan
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 56
Home: Elmhurst
Occupation: Illinois attorney general
Political experience: DuPage County state's attorney, three terms,
1984-94; Illinois attorney general, two terms, 1994-present.
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
I would make education and health care my highest priorities. I also
will restore fiscal integrity to the state budget and restore ethical
accountability to Springfield. I want to reform public education with a special
focus on improving the shameful statistic that says more than 50 percent of
minority students in the third grade can't read at grade level.
I will continue the state's commitment of 51 percent of all new state
revenue for education. I support Kid Care, and to the extent we can find state
dollars, I will support expanded state programs for the working poor, such as
Family Care. Our Medicaid system should be completely reviewed and overhauled to
make it more fair and sensible. We still have eligible children not covered by
health insurance, and there are seniors and disabled who need state government
to be more responsive to health care and prescription drug needs.
I will work to strike a balance between funding the
necessary programs and services to better our state and practicing fiscal
responsibility. This state has spent too much and not saved enough, and now we
are feeling the consequences. I will make sure that we live within our means,
build a meaningful Rainy Day Fund and set priorities for the programs that
matter most.
Why are you qualified for this office?
My strengths rest on my experience and my commitment to
good government. I am finishing my 18th year in public service - 10 years as
DuPage County state's attorney and eight years as Illinois attorney genera l.
Both positions require administrative ability and a high degree of
professionalism. The attorney general's office is a large, statewide
constitutional office and I have proven my administrative abilities by making
the office more professional and effective.
As attorney
general, I have passed more than 50 pieces of anti-crime legislation that have
been signed into law. Throughout my public career, I have tried to conduct
myself in an honorable and professional manner. I have hired people based on
their skills and capabilities, not on their politics. I believe public service
is an honorable profession and I have never put politics or personal enrichment
before good public service. I want to bring to the governor's office my
administrative experience, as well as my values about serving the public
honestly and honorably.
Web site:
www.jimryan2002.com
Cal Skinner
Party: Libertarian
Incumbent: No
Age: 60
Home: Crystal Lake
Occupation: Retired
Political
experience: McHenry County Treasurer, 1966-1970; state representative, 1973-1981
and 1993-2001.
If elected, what would be your three
main goals?
1. Balancing the budget without a tax
increase.
2. Attempting to provide tax cuts, starting
with rolling back the unnecessary cigarette tax hike of 69 percent, unnecessary
because general revenue fund receipts are down only 2 percent.
3. End the fixer mentality in Illinois government. What's that mean?
Decisions need to be made based on need and facts, not who you know or who you
hire to lobby for you.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
I have more experience in Springfield than both
of my opponents combined. The state is in financial trouble. I know budgets; my
opponents are lawyers with no hands-on budgetary experience. My education and
exp erience are ideally suited for the coming years. My master's degree is in
public administration. My first job was with the U.S. Budget Bureau. While
others were voting to increase the state budget 70 percent over the last 10
years, I more often than not voted no.
Further, a
hallmark of my career is integrity. I do not know how to cheat and have no
interest in learning. I am probably the only politician whom the late, great
columnist Mike Royko called honest.
Marisellis Brown
No response received.
U.S.
SENATE
Richard J. Durbin
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Age: 57
Home: Springfield
Occupation: Lawyer, U.S. senator
Political
experience: U.S. House of Representatives, 1982-1996; U.S. Senate,
1996-present.
If elected, what would you do to help
your state?
I would continue to promote a legislative
agenda that includes funding for security and transportation throughout
Illinois; expanding markets for Illinois products through free and fair trade;
strengthening education; reducing the cost of health insurance; and protecting
Social Security and Medicare.
What legislation would
you seek?
We must continue to strengthen our country by
improving the security of our food supply; upgrading intelligence information
systems for the FBI and other homeland security agencies; protecting employees'
pensions and retirees' health care; enhancing our aviation, rail and mass
transit infrastructure, including MetroLink and the new Mississippi River
bridge; providing quality Medicare with prescription drug
coverage for seniors and reining in escalating prescription drug costs;
expanding efforts to fight West Nile Virus; and strengthening medical research
programs.
Why are you qualified for this office?
During my service in Congress I have worked to be a strong
advocate for working families to promote economic growth, combat terrorism,
strengthen corporate accountability, enhance public education, improve our
transportation, protect public health, reduce crime and protect the environment.
I hope to have the opportunity to continue to serve Illinois for a second
term.
Web site: www.durbinforsenate.com
Jim Durkin
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 41
Home: Westchester
Occupation: Lawyer, state
representative, 44th District, Illinois General Assembly
Political experience: President of Proviso Township Republican
Organization since 1991; Triton Community College Board of Trustees, 1992-97;
44th District Illinois representative.
If elected, what
would you do to help your state?
As your U.S. Senator,
I would bring results to Washington rather than play politics with issues
important to Illinois and the nation. I will make the security of our nation a
priority in times of peace as well as times of war. The protection of its people
is the first and foremost responsibility of the federal government. We must
disarm Saddam Hussein and remove him before he is able to develop and use
weapons of mass destruction. This action is necessary to protect American
citizens and our interests abroad from terrorist attacks and is at the forefront
of our future national security.
I will fight for
Illinois jobs by creating high-quality jobs by encouraging business growth.
Further, we must open new markets for our agricultural and industrial products.
Illinois has a wealth of agricultural and industrial resources, and we must have
the ability to send the best products in the world to markets throughout the
global economy.
What legislation would you seek?
As your senator, I will fight to see that needed
legislation is passed to strengthen our national security, stimulate our economy
and provide prescription drug coverage for our seniors.
First, the legislation to create the Department of Homeland Security
must be passed to ensure our nation's security now and in the future. Such
action will provide one department with the responsibility and resources to
secure our borders, respond to emergencies and receive and disperse intelligence
information.
Second, I would support making the recent
tax cuts permanent and repeal the outrageous death tax. I believe that the
hard-working men and women of this state and nation know better how to spend
their money than bureaucrats and politicians in Washington. Finally, we must
pass a prescription drug coverage program immediately so that our seniors must
not have to decide between purchasing prescription drugs and food.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I believe that my experiences as a prosecutor, a school board member
and a member of the Illinois House have given me a diverse background from which
to understand people and government. My career in the Illinois General Assembly
has been one of bipartisanship in an attempt to do what is best for the people
of Illinois. In fact, I was one of only three Republicans in the House to be
named a committee chairman while in the minority party. I chaired the House
Committee on Prosecutorial Misconduct to study reforms needed in our death
penalty system. This was a controversial task, but I fully aired the issues and
developed proposals to reform our death penalty system and ensure that those
being put to death were in fact guilty. I believe this is only one example of an
independent approach to government, to put aside partisan politics and do what
is right for Illinois.
Political experience: Never elected to public office
Why are you qualified for this office?
I am
qualified because of my many years of service to my community and my desire to
cut taxes and free our children from the economic slavery we've put them in.
If elected, what would you do to help your state?
As I have written extensively in my position papers, which
can be found on my Web site, taxes must be cut. This includes income taxes,
Social Security taxes, capital gains taxes and death taxes.
What legislation would you seek?
My first and
foremost piece of legislation will be to seek a smaller government through a
substantial cut in taxes. See my Web site for a fuller discussion of this.
Web site: www.burgauer2002.com
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 12TH DISTRICT
Jerry F.
Costello
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Age: 53
Home: Belleville
Occupation: Congressman
Political experience: Chairman, St. Clair County Board; 1980-1988; member of
Congress since 1988.
If elected, what would you do to
help your district?
I will continue to pursue economic
development and transportation projects such as the MetroLink light-rail system,
a new Mississippi River bridge and other infrastructure projects for the region
and southern Illinois. I will pursue a fair trade agenda that protects American
jobs, and I will work to protect Social Security and Medicare.
What legislation would you seek?
I will oppose
the privatization of Social Security and seek to add a prescription drug benefit
to the Medicare program while restoring funding cut from Medicare and
reimbursement cut from health care providers and facilities. I will also focus
on the reauthorization of the federal highway bill, particularly on securing
funds for infrastructure projects for the St. Louis region and southern
Illinois.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I am proud of my record in Congress. It is a record of
staying in touch with the people by coming home every weekend - holding hundreds
of meetings. It is a record of standing up to protect our jobs by fighting
unfair trade agreements and it is a record of bringing home our fair share of
the tax money that we send to Washington to keep the regional and local economy
strong and to create jobs.
David Sadler
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 50
Home: Du Quoin
Occupation: Business owner: client/server/Web software
developer, Diversified Computer Applications, Inc
Political experience: Never elected to public office
If elected, what would you do to help your district?
I will work to reverse this so-called free trade policy that is
de-industrializing the United States. Exporting our high-paying jobs and
destroying the service economy that supports domestic industry and manufacturing
is leading to the decline in our economy that we are now seeing. Our economy
will not recover until this anti-American policy is reversed. Free trade is a
lie and a fraud. Trade something right now with someone else. What is free about
that? Free trade is leading to the destruction of the American economy right
before our very eyes.
Along with the economy, Americans
will lose their national security and national sovereignty. Look around. Our
economy is in meltdown. It's time for new leadership. Costello is an arrogant
politician unafraid to deal out political favors to his own family. He is not
afraid of being defeated. He has it in the bag. Prove him wrong.
What legislation would you seek?
This is a
simplistic question that does not consider the breadth and depth of changes that
need to come to our government if America is going to survive the next 20
years.
People need to read my Web site -
www.david-sadler.org - to see a small fraction of the types of principles this
candidate holds. This will give them insight into how I will vote and what
legislation I will defeat or vote to victory.
In short,
I'm pro-American and pro-Constitution. While others are losing their faith in
the Bill of Rights, I champion them. While my opponent votes to dismember it, I
will vote to strengthen and defend it as the oath of office directs. While my
opponent votes to sell the American economy to the highest-bidding globalist and
special interest, I will vote to keep America secure, sovereign and to protect,
not restore, its high standard of living. My opponent has presided over failure.
It's time for him to go.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
As a blue-collar worker, I made my living with
my hands. I saw life from the point of view of laborers and union members. I
traveled the United States constructing cross-country pipelines. I lived in
towns with names such as Thief River Falls, Minn.; Sweetwater, Texas;
Plentywood, Montana; and Manila, Utah.
To my
blue-collar brothers and sisters, I've been where you've been. I know what you
are up against. I haven't forgotten.
As a white-collar
independent computer consultant, I've made my living with my head. I've seen
life from the point of view of city dwellers. I've created IT solutions for
icons of American industrial and technological achievement including Dow
Chemical, Union Carbide, Eastman Kodak and Sprint. I've worked in places such as
Houston, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
To my white-collar colleagues and fellow business owners, I've been
where you've been. I know what you are up against. I haven't forgotten.
Web site: www.david-sadler.org
Patricia Elaine Beard
Write-in candidate.
LT. GOVERNOR
Pat Quinn
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Age: 53
Home: Chicago
Occupation: Lawyer, Self-employed
Political experience: Illinois state treasurer, 1991-95; commisssioner
of the Cook County Board of Appeals, 1982-86; director, Chicago Department of
Revenue, 1987; member of the Sayre Local School Council, 1989-90.
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
1. Budget reform - I support the appointment of an
independent commission (modeled after successes in Florida and Texas) to review
the state budget and tax code and recommend reforms. As State Treasurer, I
acquired a comprehensive understanding of the Illinois budget. I cut the budget
four straight years and saved taxpayers $6.5 million though the use of the
efficient management, competitive bidding and a new ethics code.
2. Education reform, including: an amendment to the Illinois
Constitution, similar to the Education Amendment of 1992, which requires the
state to have the primary responsibility of financing public education; and
additional teacher training initiatives.
3. Health care
reform, including passage of the Bernardin Amendment to the Illinois
constitution, which would guarantee decent health care as a fundamental right of
every Illinois resident; and approval of family care modeled after the
successful Kid Care program to expand benefits to another 200,000 Illinoisans
who are uninsured.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
I have held both countywide and statewide
elected office, serving as commissioner of the County Board of (tax) Appeals and
Illinois state treasurer. For more than 25 years, I have been in the trenches
for con sumer rights, citizen empowerment and open and fair government.
Web site: www.votequinn.com
Carl
E. Hawkinson
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 55
Home: Galesburg
Occupation: Illinois state
senator
Political experience: Illinois state
representative, 94th District, three terms; Knox County state's attorney, two
terms, 1976-82.
If elected, what would be your three
main goals?
1. To play a significant role in capital
punishment reform and homeland security.
2. To work
with Jim Ryan to attract business and jobs.
3. To serve
as an ambassador for Jim Ryan on legislative issues and help move his agenda
through the General Assembly. This will include budget issues as well as other
legislative initiatives. I will play a significant role on criminal justice
issues because of my professional background and my experiences as chairman of
the Senate Judiciary Committee. I will work on issues related to capital
punishment reform and criminal justice, and serve as Jim Ryan's point person on
homeland security.
I will work with communities all
over the state to retain and attract business and jobs and improve the state's
business climate. I will also be very active addressing problems in downstate
Illinois. Because of my experiences representing west-central Illinois in the
legislature, I understand regional economic development and infrastructure
concerns. I understand the legislative process and work well with members on
both sides of the aisle.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
The Legislature has given the lieutenant
governor's office a statutory role in several programs and those are important.
Beyond those duties, though, the lieutenant governor has two functions.
The constitution makes the lieutenant governor first in
line to succeed the governor, should he become incapacitated or unable to
fulfill his responsibilities. This is a duty that we all hope never comes to
pass, but it is the first consideration that voters should evaluate when
examining the credentials of the candidates. I believe I am qualified to serve
as governor, should it become necessary. I have served as a state's attorney for
six years and as a state legislator for 20 years. Throughout my career, I have
tried to be a thoughtful legislator and serve with honor. The voters have
returned me to office and I have been praised as a legislator who is fair. I
work in a bipartisan manner and welcome views and ideas that are different from
my own. I understand Illinois government, the diversity of this state, the need
for reform, and the process for getting things done.
Web site: www.jimryan2002.com/AboutHawkinson.asp
James L. Tobin
Party: Libertarian
Incumbent: No
Age: 56
Home: Berwyn
Occupation: Tax
fighter, Self-employed
Political experience: Never
elected to public office
If elected, what would be your
three main goals?
1. If elected in November, I would
begin by saving Illinois taxpayers $2.2 million right off the bat by reducing
the $3.2 million budget of the lieutenant governor's office to $1 million. Then
I would ask the legislature to place a referendum on the November 2004 statewide
ballot to eliminate this useless office. The office does not need millions of
dollars just so a lieutenant governor can wait in the wings for the governor to
die, become incapacitated, or go to jail.
2. The state
income tax in Illinois has prevented the formation of countless productive jobs.
I would work to cut the state income tax.
3. I would
work to place the Tax Accountability Amendment on the statewide ballot, which
would mandate a two-thirds super-majority in the Legislature to raise taxes or
fees.
Why are you qualified for this office?
My background is ideal for understanding and managing
state finances. I am a consulting economist and have taught economics for more
than 30 years at Elmhurst College, Loyola University of Chicago, and others. In
1976, I founded National Taxpayers United of Illinois. It's the largest taxpayer
group in Illinois, with more than 10,000 members, and is affiliated with more
than 200 local taxpayer groups. In its 26 years, it has saved Illinois taxpayers
over $44 billion.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Jesse White
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Age: 68
Home: Chicago
Occupation: Illinois secretary
of state
Political experience: Prior to being elected
Illinois secretary of state in 1998, I served six years as Cook County recorder
of deeds and 16 years as an Illinois state representative. I also serve as the
Democratic committeeman of the 27th Ward in Chicago.
If
elected, what would be your three main goals?
1.
Implementing the long-term plan. My goal is to work with the Legislature and the
next governor to improve driving and vehicle services throughout the state. We
hope to add facilities, especially in high-growth areas. In addition, adding
automated teller machines around the state in shopping malls, so that users will
be able to obtain safe-driver renewal stickers, license plate renewal stickers
and other services through the machines.
2. Expanding
Touch Screen Testing. In response to the license-for-bribes scandal, we created
a new touch-screen testing system for those seeking a commercial driver's
license. I want to expand this successful program to include those who are
seeking passenger-vehicle driver's licenses.
3.
Strengthening the inspector general's office. I will push to establish into law
an independent inspector general with wide-ranging police powers, including
subpoena powers.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
I have served the Illinois secretary of state's
office for three years. When I first started in January 1999, I was faced with
an office that was under a cloud of controversy. What was not as well known, but
nearly as serious, were Illinois license plates that had not been re-issued in
over 17 years; temporary registration permits that were easily tampered with;
and disability placards that were being grossly misused. In my first term in
office, we changed all of that and more.
We issued the
first new license plates in 20 years.
We created the
only temporary registration permit in the nation that provides immediate access
to vehicle information by law enforcement authorities.
We created new disability placards and strengthened the system to
ensure that only those who truly need them are using them.
We have created a strong, independent inspector general's office to
root out corruption.
These accomplishments exemplify my
qualifications for this post.
Web site:
www.jessewhite2002.com
Kris O'Rourke Cohn
Party: Republican
Incumbent:
No
Age: 50
Home: Rockford
Occupation: Winnebago County Board Chairman
Political experience: Winnebago County Board chairman and
forest preserve president since December 1996; Winnebago County clerk, 1994-96;
Rockford Park District commissioner, 1991-94.
If
elected, what would be your three main goals?
As you
may know, I have been handing out small bars of soap as I campaign throughout
Illinois. The message: It's time to clean up state government. But the soap is
just not a gimmick - it is a positive, concrete plan to cut the long lines and
clean up the office of secretary of state. Under a Kristine O'Rourke Cohn
administration, the secretary of state's office will be secure, organized,
accountable and professional. Here are some of the highlights of the plan:
1. Electronic customer service surveys at facilities;
2. Internet postings of wait times at each facility;
3. Same-day license plates
4.
Secretary of state service units in private companies, such as Walgreens.
Please visit my Web site to read the complete plan.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I am running for secretary of state because I am a proven, professional
administrator who can take control of the office, cut the long lines and stop
the scandals.
I am in my second four-year term as the
elected Winnebago County Board chairman. I manage a budget of $117 million,
supervise 1,800 employees and manage a complex menagerie of government services.
During my years in public service, I have been fortunate to receive support from
Republicans, Democrats and independents. With your vote, I know we can work
together to cut the lines, stop the scandals and restore confidence in the
Illinois secretary of state's office.
Web site:
www.cohn2002.com
Matt Beauchamp
Party: Libertarian
Incumbent: No
Age: 32
Home: Chicago
Occupation: Hedonist, self-employed
Political experience: Never elected to public office
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
Get your driver's license in 15 minutes or it's free. See Web site.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I have worked in the private sector for the last 10 years and now am
retired. My opponents have been feasting on the public teat for decades and will
do NOTHING to eliminate fraud.
Web site:
www.15orfree.com
ATTORNEY
GENERAL
Lisa Madigan
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent: No
Age:
36
Home: Chicago
Occupation:
State senator, lawyer
Political experience: Illinois
State Senate, 17th Legislative District, since 1998.
If
elected, what would be your three main goals?
Illinois
needs new leadership to improve and protect the lives of our families. That is
why I am running for attorney general. As a senator, I have fought for issues
important to families, including voting 17 times to toughen laws against sexual
predators, passing laws to protect women and children from domestic abuse and
working to lower prescription drug prices. As attorney general, I have set out
an ambitious, common-sense agenda to protect Illinois families, including:
requiring lifetime supervision for sexual predators, shielding women and
children from domestic violence, reducing prescription drug prices through
aggressive prosecutions, and protecting seniors from fraud and abuse. I will go
after employers that violate workplace safety rules, drug companies that inflate
prescription drug prices, and HMOs that deny needed care. I will make protecting
families my top priority, and I will not stop working until the job is done.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I have worked as an lawyer, community leader, educator and state
senator. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I worked with police and families to
implement programs to keep kids away from gangs and crime. From my exp eriences
in South Africa educating young women during apartheid, to working with
high-risk youths and police on Chicago's west side, to being a leading voice for
education in the Illinois Senate, I have a proven record of advocating for
people. Because of this experience, I received the endorsement of the Fraternal
Order of Police. I will use my experience to be the people's lawyer, advocating
for and protecting Illinois' families. That is the critical difference between
me and my opponent - I will work tirelessly to put the interests of working
families above corporate and special interests.
Web
site: www.lisamadigan.org
Joe Birkett
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 47
Home: Wheaton
Occupation: State's attorney, DuPage County
Political experience: DuPage County state's attorney, two
terms, 1996-present.
If elected, what would be your
three main goals?
1. To address public corruption in
Illinois. I will create a public integrity unit which will be partnered with the
Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit to create a strike force. We will
educate public employees in Illinois regarding their duty to report acts of
corruption and the consequences when they fail to do so.
2. I will continue to make the protection of society's most vulnerable
a top priority. I created an award-winning Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
Unit as DuPage County State's Attorney, and it will serve as a model for the
unit I will create as attorney general.
3. Protection
of consumers will also be a top priority. I will implement reforms to increase
the efficiency of the Consumer Fraud Bureau through automation. I will provide
ongoing training to state's attorneys and local law enforcement regarding
detection, apprehension and prosecution of consumer fraud artists.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I have served the state of Illinois as a prosecutor for the past 21
years. In that time, I gained invaluable experience, having tried over 1,000
felony cases and overseen the prosecution of more than 12,000 cases. As DuPage
County state's attorney, I am responsible for the largest Republican state's
attorney office in Illinois.
I have been a pro-active
advocate throughout my career, working with fellow prosecutors, the police,
community leaders and the General Assembly to reduce crime and protect people. I
have participated in and chaired task forces that have contributed greatly to
improvements in the criminal and civil justice systems.
My opponent has never tried a case on her own and is woefully
unqualified to serve as the next attorney general of Illinois.
Web site: www.joebirkett.com
Gary L. Shilts
No response received
TREASURER
Thomas J. Dart
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Age: 40
Home: Chicago
Occupation: State
representative Political experience: State representative, 1992-present.
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
If elected, I'd end the politics of self-promotion and
restore public faith in state institutions and the political system by: 1. Restoring spending accountability from the general fund and the
local government investment pool administrative fund as they relate to the
office's overall budget. 2. Increasing investment options and
cutting unregulated marketing expenses in the college savings program, providing
more money for college investment for children; and 3. Posting the
state's investments and their returns on the Internet.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I
served on the revenue and appropriations committees during my 10 years in the
Legislature. I have an exceptional understanding of state finances. In the
Legislature I have been a leading advocate in child welfare, prison and
financial service reform. As a former assistant state's attorney, I know how to
root out government fraud and corruption. I am eager to bring my record and
ideas to the treasurer's office.
Web site:
www.tomdart.com
Judy Baar Topinka
Party: Republican
Incumbent: Yes
Age: 58
Home: Riverside
Occupation: Illinois state treasurer
Political experience: Illinois House, 43rd District, 1980-84; Illinois
Senate, 22nd District, 1984-1994; Illinois state treasurer since 1995.
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
I am seeking a third term as Illinois state treasurer
because there is still work to be done and I look forward to building upon the
success of the past eight years. Investments will continue to break all records
of performance; I will complete the implementation of new programs as we
continue to develop new initiatives to assist Illinois families.
* Complete the implementation of Our Own Home to assist low- and
middle-income families with less than perfect credit purchase a home or avoid a
foreclosure by helping them avoid becoming victims of predatory lenders.
* Seek the authority to further diversify the state's
investment portfolio through investments, specifically through venture capital
firms as a way of promoting job and business growth of the technology sector.
* Encourage improved health care in Illinois by
implementing the recently announced affordable financing program for hospitals
throughout the state.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
Over the past eight years, I have improved the
treasurer's office to benefit all citizens of Illinois through responsible
fiscal management and expanded services and programs, including:
Earning nearly $3 billion in investment income for state and local
taxpayers through prudent investments.
* Creating and
publishing the first-ever comprehensive investment policy for the state
treasurer's office.
* Earning Standard and Poor's
highest AAA rating for the first time ever and bolstering the treasurer's local
government investment pool from $2.1 billion to $5.7 billion.
* Creating the Bright Start College Savings Program to help
hard-working families send their children to college.
*
Reuniting thousands of Illinoisans with more than $120 million in unclaimed
property through the Treasurer's Cash Dash Program.
I
remain committed to the belief that the most important work government can do is
for the people.
Web site: www.judybaartopinka.com
Rhys Read
Party: Libertarian
Incumbent: No
Age: 45
Home: Des Plaines
Occupation:
Controller, Peer Bearing Co.
Political experience:
Trustee, Des Plaines Public Library (appointed), February 2001.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I am a
CPA and I have an MBA degree. I have more than 25 years' experience in the
financial fields, public accounting, private industry and financial management.
In my current position I perform many treasury functions. I have taught seminars
and published articles on tax laws, as well as other finance and budgeting
issues. I am the only one of the three candidates for treasurer with financial
education or experience. We have experienced unprecedented levels of fraud and
financial corruption in state government. Neither of the other two candidates
has said or done anything to address these scandals. I have designed and
implemented internal control systems, and have conducted both fraud and
government yellow book audits. I will use my education and experience to bring
to light misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
I have not
received any campaign contributions from anybody but individuals. When elected,
I will serve only one group, the taxpayers of the state.
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
1. Fully inform the taxpayers of Illinois as to where their tax dollars
are being spent. To do so I will use a multimedia and pro-active approach to
explicitly spell out waste and misspending by the state government. 2. Use my education and experience to safeguard the assets of the state
by exposing fraud and misappropriation of funds and providing evidence thereof
for the proper prosecution of financial crimes. 3. Provide choice
for the users of Section 529 College Savings Funds through the state.
Web site: www.readfortreasurer.org
COMPTROLLER
Daniel W. Hynes
Party: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Age: 34
Home: Chicago
Occupation: State comptroller
Political
experience: State comptroller since 1998.
If elected,
what would be your three main goals?
1. I will continue
to pursue passage and full implementation of my four-point Agenda for Financial
Stability, which calls for controlled growth in state spending, paying down our
debts and honest budgeting. The Agenda is a workable, realistic blueprint for
long-term, responsible management of Illinois' finances that safeguards Illinois
taxpayers and ensures the fiscal stability the public deserves from state
government.
2. I will also expand my consumer
protection efforts, including cracking down on funeral home owners who steal
from their clients' trust funds and cemetery owners who don't maintain their
properties. Further, I will continue to sponsor the cleanup of dozens of
neglected cemeteries across the state.
3. I will
continue to be a watchdog for taxpayers, including barring tax scofflaws from
securing state contracts and maintaining aggressive debt collection efforts.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I have a proven record of responsible, effective, honest leadership.
As comptroller, I have transformed the office from a
largely administrative one into an independent advocate for consumers and
taxpayers.
As the state's chief fiscal officer, I have
spoken out consistently against irresponsible state spending practices and
shortsighted budget decisions. Earlier this year, I froze $116 million in member
initiative pork projects in an attempt to force the General Assembly to spare
more essential programs from being cut out of the state budget. I also
engineered creation of the Rainy Day Fund, which has been used to avoid tax
hikes and program cuts.
I made consumer protection a
top priority in my office, including spearheading bi-partisan passage of the
most sweeping reforms in the funeral home industry in 25 years. And I have made
state government more accessible to all taxpayers by greatly expanding the
volume of information offered on the comptroller's Web site.
Web site: www.friendsofdan.com
Thomas
Jefferson Ramsdell
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 35
Home: Wilmette
Political experience: Never
elected to public office
If elected, what would be your
three main goals?
1. We will exercise the comptroller's
currently un-utilized power to investigate and crack down on fraud and
duplication in state contracts and employment.
2. All
agencies and departments that report to the office will be encouraged to find
new and creative ways to save money. We will start the meticulous task of budget
trimming on day one in order to avoid the painful shortfalls that result from
inadequate fiscal planning.
3. We will explore
innovative ways to collect monies owed to the state, including prohibitions on
contracts or employment with the state for individuals or companies that owe
taxes, are in default on student or other government-backed loans, or otherwise
owe money to the state.
Why are you qualified for this
office?
Our campaign is based on the principle that to
fulfill its constitutional mission, the office of comptroller should be held by
a genuine, objective fiscal conservative - not the privileged children of
Chicago's Democratic elite. To be an effective fiscal watchdog, it is imperative
that the comptroller come with no strings attached. The comptroller must
consistently advocate budget trimming and increased efficiency - in financially
abundant times and in leaner times.
Web site:
www.vote4ramsdell.com
Julie Fox
Party: Libertarian
Incumbent: No
Age: 44
Home: West Dundee
Occupation: Controller, Bell Flavors and Fragrances
Inc.
Political experience: Trustee, Dundee Township
Library District.
If elected, what would be your three
main goals?
I have one main goal: To reduce the state
budget through spending cuts and allow Illinois residents to keep as much of
their hard-earned income as possible. Three ways I would accomplish this are:
1. Blocking payments of frivolous and/or unconstitutional
expenses such as member initiatives;
2. Blocking
welfare payments to corporations; and
3. Consolidating
the offices of comptroller and treasurer.
Why are you
qualified for this office?
I am the most qualified
candidate running for state comptroller. I am a certified public accountant and
corporate controller. I have 15 years' experience in the field of accounting and
have managed budgets of up to $60 million, while both my opponents are lawyers.
In addition, I also help manage the budget of my local library district.
APPELLATE JUDGE
5TH DISTRICT
Melissa Chapman
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Age:
51 Home: Edwardsville
Occupation: Appellate judge
Political experience: Never elected to public office
If elected, what would be your three main goals?
1. Maintain public trust in the judiciary by providing
informed, fair and impartial decisions in accordance with Illinois law.
2. Write clear, concise decisions.
3. Promote respect and civility among all parties to the judicial
process.
Why are you qualified for this office?
I have done appellate-level work for almost five years,
was a trial attorney for 18 years, and worked five years as a mental health
professional. I served on the review board of the Illinois Attorney Registration
and Disciplinary Commission and since 1995 have been a co-author of the jury
instruction manual used by judges and attorneys throughout Illinois. I
understand the Appellate Court and bring a valuable perspective to it.
John Long
Party: Republican
Incumbent: No
Age: 52
Home: O'Fallon (Ill.)
Occupation:
Lawyer, self-employed
Political experience: Never
elected to public office
If elected, what would be your
three main goals?
1. To administer appellate justice
impartially, without regard for the insider politics and campaign cash and
without deference to the powerful plaintiff's lawyers mentioned in the
Post-Dispatch editorial of Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002.
2.
To modernize the Appellate Court's procedures for receiving documents in
appeals, so that trial transcripts would be submitted in a stable,
computer-searchable format (such as Adobe PDF format).
3. To hold seminars for attorneys in the 5th Judicial District to help
them improve their skills as appellate advocates.
Why
are you qualified for this office?
I learned how to do
appellate work as a law clerk for Justice George J. Moran Sr., on the Appellate
Court in 1975-1976. I have specialized in handling appeals since 1976, and have
been involved in at least 54 appeals (49 of which were before the Appellate
Court in Mount Vernon). My fellow attorneys have recognized my expertise as an
appellate lawyer and have given me a recommended rating in a poll conducted by
the ISBA. The ISBA Committee on Judicial Evaluations recommended me highly for
the office of Appellate Court Judge.
NOTES: VOTERS GUIDE; VOTE, YOUR GUIDE TO THE CANDIDATES AND ISSUES; ST. CLAIR
COUNTY
GRAPHIC: PHOTO, GRAPHIC, MAP; (1) Photo
headshot - Rod R. Blagojevich, Jim Ryan, Cal Skinner, Richard J. Durbin, Jim
Durkin, Steven Burgauer, Jerry F. Costello, David Sadler, Pat Quinn, Cal E.
Hawkinson, James L. Tobin, Jesse White, Kris O'Rourke Cohn, Matt Beauchamp, Lisa
Madigan, Joe Birkett, Thomas J. Dart, Judy Baar Topinka, Rhys Read, Daniel W.
Hynes, Thomas Jefferson Ramsdell, Julie Fox, Melissa Chapman, John Long GRAPHIC
(GRAPHICS); Graphic / Map - Illinois 5th District Court of Appeals
Document 57 of 532. 