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NAME: Mr. Allen Skillicorn
POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE A CANDIDATE:
Illinois State Representative District 66
1. Why are you seeking this position?
I’m going to Springfield to reform state government, reduce taxes, and improve the business climate so middle-income workers can find and keep jobs. I’m going to Springfield to ensure government is serving our interests.
We can move Springfield forward in two ways: First, by bringing bipartisan balance back to the legislature. I’m running for office because after decades of one party rule, the families in our community are suffering and aren’t being served by the State government they finance. In this race the choice is clear: Speaker Madigan and the status quo or a real reformer that will tip the balance of power back to us.
Second, Springfield needs new, independent leadership that is focused on serving our interests, not protecting their own power. The current leaders were put in place to work for us but what we find is that they work for themselves. I’m going to Springfield to work with reform-minded Democrats and Republicans to serve our community and protect our families.
As village trustee I work with people from all backgrounds and political ideologies to help improve our town. Initially my ‘Freeze The Levy’ property tax freeze resolution failed 1 to 6. Three months later, we passed our frozen levy unanimously and it’s been frozen since. I am not interested in playing that partisan blame game that you see in Springfield. I’m interested in serving those in need and protecting working-class families.
2. What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
I was elected Trustee of the Village of East Dundee in 2011 and have pushed a variety of reforms. First, I worked with the board to freeze the village property tax levy. This freeze has remained in place for the last five years. Initially the board was hostile to limiting their take on taxes, but after months of persistence and reassurance the property tax freeze passed unanimously. This work combined with local economic growth, has dramatically dropped village property taxes per home. Second, I’ve promoted greater accountability. I worked to get important records and financial information posted regularly on East Dundee’s village website. I believe sunlight is the greatest disinfectant and will ensure more state finances like spending, pension funding, and vendor contracts are available for the public to see. Third, as a trustee I’ve set a TIF policy prioritizing infrastructure development over corporate welfare. I will pass legislation that will curb TIF abuse and expose the waste, fraud, and corruption buried in many TIF deals.
3. What will be your greatest challenge if elected?
Passing term limits will be the greatest hurdle, but we need a government focused on solutions, not what helps politicians get reelected over, and over, and over again. Illinois is one of only 11 states that do not already have term limits. This is not a new or extreme idea. The majority of states already have a form of term limits. Illinois is next!
If 8 years is enough for President, why not something similar here in Illinois?
Career politicians stay in office for 20 years, 30 years, and they stop listening to us. They use the power of incumbency to ignore the will of the people and instead protect their own interests. Rather than serving our community, they are serving themselves.
Polls have shown that vast majorities of citizens on both sides of the political aisle back term limits for their elected officials. Term limits could help address the problems created by the handful of powerful lawmakers who have created the current mess.
Release for publication? YES
I will attend the forum? YES
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