Q: What
is your biggest accomplishment from the last
session?A: Personally, I am proud
to have HB571 sitting on the Governor’s desk.
The bill changes a 1984 statute that allows
preferential treatment for child molesters when
their victim is a member of their own family or
lives with the family. Under the old law,
perpetrators of criminal sexual assault would
receive mandatory prison time of from 4 to 30
years, unless their victim was a relative. If
the perpetrator victimized a child in his own
family, he received probation and two years of
counseling. My bill eliminates probation for
incest abusers.
Overall, being involved in budget
negotiations is the most important area for me
in Springfield. I believe we are in our current
budget crisis because of excessive growth in
state spending. We do not have a revenue
problem, we have a spending problem. The only
way to solve this problem will be to cut
government. By trying to support our current
level of spending on the backs of business we
will destroy jobs, opportunity and our long term
chances of economic development.
I believe a caucus accomplishment was
stopping the worst of the worst in the
Governor’s budget proposals. I am very proud to
be a part of the House Republican Caucus. Tom
Cross led, by example, through open discussion
and having the caucus choose overall direction.
He was a very effective leader. I believe the
public is not ready to listen to Republicans
blaming Democrats, and that by participating at
the discussion table, our caucus was successful
in making significant, positive changes to the
governors’ budget. I hope our caucus is able to
work with the governor and Democrat legislators
towards an across-the-board cut in spending.
Conservative readers may wish that we fight
Democrats on budget proposals but we will not
get anywhere if we do not cooperate.
Q: Out of all the
committees you are on, which is most important
to you?
A: I was assigned mostly to dollar-related
committees because my background as a CPA makes
them a particularly good fit for me. I would
have to say that the assignment where I felt my
input was most important was on our House
Republican Budget Team. While not a true House
Committee, the Budget Team was where I feel I
was most effective in voicing my opposition to
tax and fee increases and the wide array of
anti-business legislation proposed by the
governor and Democrats. Again, as a freshman, I
felt particularly honored to be asked to be at
the table for this, our most critical issue this
spring.
My committees include gaming, financial
institutions, general service appropriations,
and insurance.
I also served on an insurance subcommittee
that was formed to investigate new possible
insurance mandates on business. These bills all
addressed good causes but were generally not
affordable and would have hurt Illinois by
increasing the number of uninsured.
Q: Your district is in
DuPage County. What are your thoughts on the
very Republican trends there compared to Cook
County?
A: We’ve seen a dramatic changing of the
guard in our republican party locally and across
the state, and sometimes change is good. We have
a lot of fresh faces that bring new energy to
our organization and it’s exciting to be a part
of that.
It’s a challenging time to be a Republican in
Illinois, but I’m confident we have good people
that are up to a good fight. We will work with
our colleagues on the other side of the aisle as
we must, but we will continue to stand firm for
what we know is the right to solve our problems,
get our economy back on track and ensure a
bright future for our families and our
communities.
Our party has a lot to offer, and I know that
we have a brighter future in store.
Q: Your district is
also part of Sen. Roskam’s district. Has he
helped you in any way, through either
legislation or mentoring you?
A: Peter Roskam is a hard working legislator
and has been very available and helpful to me in
my first, hectic months in Springfield. I really
enjoy serving with him.
Q: How did you get
started in politics?
A: This is actually my first foray into
running for political office. I previously was
slated into a township trustee position, where I
enjoyed serving the community. I have always had
a strong interest in public policy. We have best
system of government in the world-responsive and
open to public debate-and I have long wanted to
become more personally involved in the process.
Last year, Rep. Cowlishaw retired, and the
timing was right personally for me to make the
commitment. I am honored that my neighbors in
DuPage and Will Counties have entrusted me to be
their voice in Springfield.
Q: What do you remember
from the last campaign that will help you in
reelection next year? What were the issues, and
what did voters tell you most often?
A: In two words: personal contact! I knocked
on every door in the district at least once…many
twice, because it’s the very best way to really
hear what people are concerned about.
I really appreciate input, and I take the
ideas and suggestions I receive from those I
represent very seriously. I personally respond
to every note and letter, and I am a stickler
for returning calls as promptly as I possibly
can.
The people in this community are wonderful.
Our residents here are very committed to the
community. Our residents are very committed to
family and making the community a better place
through personal responsibility and action. We
have great volunteerism and open discussion. I
am proud to represent my area in the General
Assembly.
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