Dave Syverson

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.

Cutting back state government unfortunately is like cutting back weeds. Unless you get at the root, it will just grow back even thicker than before. We need to get at the root of Illinois’ financial problems if we are going to turn this state around. We need to start with the premise that Illinois government has grown beyond its capacity to be sustainable. Second, we have leaders in government that even today are promising more than the state can ever afford to deliver. Thirdly, the services that our government does deliver, are in most cases delivered in an inefficient manner. As part of a bipartisan Deficit Reduction Commission, we brought in experts from business, accounting and economics. Together we laid out efficiency models that, if implemented, would save the state billions of dollars annually (see details at www.illinoisrealitycheck.com)

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

I voted NO to raising Illinois’ income tax rates. In fact, many of us who deal in the business community every day warned the Governor what the outcome would be if he raised taxes on job creators and working families. The bottom line is you cannot tax your way into prosperity. Illinois needs to repeal this tax as well as change our economic climate and that in turn will generate more jobs and more revenue.

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.

I would support an extended prohibition against politicians taking advantage of a system in this way. The number of years needs to be determined. The “jobs for votes” machinations of 2011 says much more about the individuals involved than the system as a whole. We need elected leaders who will serve for the benefit of others and not the enrichment of themselves.

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?

You do not have to be an actuary to understand the state pension system is not sustainable. The passage of the pension reform legislation gave some citizens and workers a temporary false sense of security, but there isn’t a single legislator who doesn’t understand that the pension programs are a ticking time-bomb that will blow up the state budget every year until it is addressed. The growing pension liability affects everyone. State retirees should be concerned that the benefit they are getting could be in jeopardy. Existing employees should be concerned that the pension that was promised may not be there. Taxpayers should be very concerned that they are being asked to pay more and more for a system growing faster than the ability to pay. A permanent solution will involve some pain, but each year we wait to address the problem, the greater the cost and the pain that all parties will feel.

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

I do believe there needs to be term limits for leaders in the General Assembly. The way the power structure is set up in Springfield, the rules give extraordinary powers to the Speaker and Senate President. With these powers, the two leaders can control the legislative and budgeting process. It was also these two leaders who controlled the remapping process for the recent legislative and congressional district map drawings. As for term limits in general, that may be needed, but is not a panacea solution for correcting the wrong direction our State is heading. We have had frequent turnovers in the governor’s office and in the legislature, but no one would say that is making the government any better.

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?

I believe the current FOIA laws gives the needed access to the information the public has the rights to see. It is beyond me why any government officials feel it is necessary to hide their actions and information from our citizens. Establishing heavy personal fines on government officials who improperly withhold or delay information could be very effective. One specific change I think is necessary is to allow for the redacted release of executive session minutes. Currently, executive session minutes can only be released in their entirety or not at all. Allowing for a middle ground and redacting sensitive information would allow more sunshine into the governing process.

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?

Over the last ten years the legislature has passed three major ethics reform packages yet few changes are seen. It’s not about passing more ethics reform, it’s about electing ethical leaders and creating an atmosphere of ethical government in Springfield. This is yet another reason for citizen legislators in government. While not the total solution, I do see too many career politicians who seem to be willing to do and say what they need to get elected because they need the job. A second solution is for the public to get more engaged in the process. The more you know about your elected officials and what they do, the more you can hold them accountable.

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

First, we must get our state government and state spending under control. Having the largest deficits in the country sends a message of uncertainty to business decision makers, making it even harder to attract or retain jobs in Illinois. Second, Illinois must repeal its job killing regulations, reform workers compensation laws, reform unemployment compensation laws, and deal with the states litigious climate – especially medical malpractice. All of these reforms would cost the state nothing and would in fact save the state millions in our own budgets. Third, Illinois must create a pathway for innovation and cutting edge technology. Working with our universities and the business community, we must invest in those areas that will make Illinois the leader in future technological advancements.