Liandro Arellano

On the Record

Despite some cuts, the state remains in the midst of the worst fiscal crisis in its history. Significant budget cuts still need to be made, including cuts that will affect services. Prioritize cuts that you think should be made, and include how much money can be saved. Be specific.

First, we need across-the-board spending cuts. Department heads can lead a team familiar with each department budget to decide the best use of available funds. Second, freeze raises and hiring where possible, and even cut salaries if necessary, while continuing to reform the abused pension system. This could save hundreds of millions without lay-offs. The private sector has suffered pay cuts, benefit losses, and high unemployment. We must have shared sacrifice, but there is no need for mass layoffs. Third, we need to reform paid commissions, which act as a spoils system for whichever governor and party happens to be in power. We also need to reform worker’s compensation abuses. These two systems have been abused for tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. Finally, we need to roll back the government expansions that happened under convicted felon Blagojevich.

Did you support the income and corporate tax increases approved in 2011 by the state Legislature? Explain your answer.

Absolutely not. These job-killing lame duck tax hikes embraced the big government expansions of Blagojevich and Madigan by choosing tax hikes over spending cuts, all while punishing regular citizens during a recession and chasing businesses out of the state. As a small business owner myself, I recognize that giving tax breaks to mega-corporations while crushing regular citizens and small employers is a terrible way to bring more jobs to Illinois. We need to stop government over-spending and return that money to citizens and job-creating entrepreneurs. Springfield has proven it cannot spend money more wisely than those who have actually earned it. My focus is bringing jobs back to Illinois, and these tax hikes did the opposite.

Several of the lawmakers who voted for the tax increases were lame ducks who later were hired into state jobs, creating the appearance that their votes were bought. Would you support legislation banning elected state officials from taking jobs in state government until at least five years after they leave their elected post? Explain.

Yes. I firmly believe that since Illinois leads the nation in corruption, we must now lead the nation in tough ethics reform. I also strongly support the reform of both paid commissions and the entire appointment process, which is where many of those lame duck legislators ended up. It was a shameful and blatant abuse of the public trust and taxpayer funds. We also must change the law to prevent lame duck legislators from abusing the veto session in the future. Reform is needed, and I can assure the voters that there will be no stronger advocate for ethics reform and transparent government than me. I have already pledged to refuse my public pension so that voters can be sure I go to Springfield to represent them—not to get fat off the government like these lame duck legislators chose to do. I will be a tireless reformer dedicated to the public trust!

State lawmakers in 2010 passed legislation creating a two-tiered pension system for new state employees, but still has not addressed its $85 billion funding gap. How do you propose bridging that gap, and should similar reform legislation be passed for workers hired before Jan.1, 2011?

Pension debts are the biggest long-term fiscal issue in Illinois, and yes, current employees have to work with us to solve this crisis. Pension underfunding contributed to yet another downgrade in our bond rating by Moody’s; we now have the worst credit out of all fifty states. First, we must reform how pensions are calculated. Currently the system can be abused by spiking wages in the last four years to grossly inflate pensions. Second, public pensions must ONLY be available to public employees. Currently certain union officials can qualify for taxpayer funds despite not being public employees. Third, more money will have to be paid in by public employees, who are much better paid than when the pension system was first formed. Sacrifices must be made throughout Illinois, and the pension system unfortunately cannot be exempt.

Do you support term limits for state lawmakers? For House Speaker and Senate President? Why or why not?

I support term limits for state lawmakers, but I reserve judgment on a concrete number until I have actually seen the system first-hand. Power clearly has a corrupting influence on many who serve too long, but we also must not strip experienced leaders away and leave staffers and special interests to run our government by running roughshod over inexperienced legislators. I have seen proposals for a twelve-year maximum that interested me. However, the best protection against corrupt or incompetent leadership is active and involved citizen voters.

Shortly after the General Assembly passed sweeping changes to FOIA allowing improved access to government by taxpayers, lawmakers began chipping away at the act, taking away some of the access it had granted. Is government in Illinois accessible enough to its taxpayers?

No, more can be done. Sunshine laws need to be strengthened, and all the hidden spending and power plays needs to be transparent. Much of this shouldn’t even need a FOIA request—government should be posting it online immediately. In this modern era technology has made posting information easier than ever; there is no reason for government activities and spending to be hidden away. This is part of the battle against corruption in Illinois!

Rod Blagojevich was sentenced in December to 14 years in prison. He is the second consecutive Illinois governor and the fourth of the past nine to go to prison. What more can be done in the General Assembly to further combat the state's pervasive corruption?

First, we must shrink the size and scope of government. The more power and money there is concentrated in Springfield, the more corruption will afflict Springfield’s leaders. We must return that power and money to the people and to local communities. Second, more government transparency is required. Corruption and incompetence can only thrive in secrecy. The more transparent our government, the more difficult it is for officials to abuse the public trust. Third, must vote out officials who put party politics ahead of what is best for the state. This includes officials who supported Blagojevich’s reelection despite knowing his many flaws! The greatest burden, though, falls on us as voters to pay attention, get involved, and send reformers to Springfield. That responsibility is one of the things that motivated me to run for office.

What – specifically – would you do to improve job creation in Illinois?

My first-hand experience with Illinois’ business climate may well have been the primary motivator in my run for office. As an employer I understand the need to change policy to better enable businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed and hire. We need to reform the costly worker’s compensation system to better prevent abuse, ensure that costs and regulations on new businesses are not prohibitive, and adjust the tax system so that we’re not bailing out big companies while punishing regular employers and citizens. Also, let’s balance Illinois’ budget so prospective businesses can expect a stable environment and so bills owed to vendors are paid in a reliable manner.