questionare.docx

Dear Governor Quinn,

As the election nears, we here at WBEZ want to make clear to voters where you stand on the most important issues that face the State of Illinois. Think of it as voters study guide as they head to the polls.

Please give us an answer, in your own words, to each of the following six questions, for a story were airing next week. Even though some of these issues have come up before, we are looking for your firm statement, at this point in the campaign, to these questions. The deadline to return this state policy questionnaire is Monday, October 27th, by 5 p.m.

If we dont hear back from you, well add a line in our story indicating that you didnt respond to our questionnaire. Well also be sending this exact questionnaire to your opponent.

Thanks so much in advance!Sincerely,Lauren ChooljianWBEZ Reporter

1. Whats the right income tax rate for Illinois, and how do we get there?

Properly funding public schools is critical to our economic competitiveness, and thats why Ive proposed a balanced budget plan that includes the largest investment in the classroom in Illinois history. This honest, responsible plan will continue paying down our bills; avoid radical cuts to education, public safety and human services; prevent property tax increases and provide additional property tax relief; and maintain the states income tax rate where it is today (which is the 9th lowest in the nation). All three credit ratings agencies voiced support for my budget plan, which provides long-term stability to our finances. I believe the property tax is the most unfair tax, and thats why we must work to reduce the property tax burden while properly funding our public schools, which will strengthen our economy.Were in the position to make this historic investment in the classroom because of the hard work weve done over the past five years to tackle our budget challenges.We have dramatically improved the states finances and economic standing by taking tough, responsible steps to restore stability to Illinois, including cutting spending by more than $5 billion; enacting pension reform for Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees to save hundreds of billions of dollars for the state; overhauling the Medicaid program and cutting Medicaid spending by more than $3 billion; enacting workers compensation and unemployment insurance reforms; implementing numerous efficiencies and consolidations such as reducing office space by 2.4 million square feet, selling state planes and cutting state employee parking spaces; and raising revenue in 2011. These steps have allowed us to pay down the backlog of bills by $6 billion and today we are closer than ever to a timely 30-day bill cycle. Were leading the Midwest in job creation and more people are working today than when I took office. My opponent has proposed a tax plan that will blow an $8 billion hole in the budget that will slash funding for public schools by at least $4 billion. His budget doesnt add up. Meanwhile, he has proposed taxing consumption which includes things like food and medicine and everyday services like garbage pickup that will transfer the tax burden to working families. My opponents plan is the wrong way to go, its regressive and it doesnt add up.

2. Would you lift limits on the number of charter schools in Illinois?

First and foremost, we must always consider the best interests of our students. I believe in excellent schools and educational opportunities for all students in all communities. To that end, given the lack of evidence that students in charter school perform better than those in neighborhood schools, I do not support lifting the limits on the number of charter schools. I believe before moving forward with authorizing more charters its important to complete an impact study of how charter school policy has impacted the district as a whole. All schools should be accountable and transparent in the way they operate. To heighten accountability, we implemented a new report card for all schools that empowers parents by giving them information about the performance of their childrens schools. Our report card has been recognized nationally as one of the best in the country, and helps parents to become more engaged in their childs education. Education reform that I supported and signed into law has also been a model for the nation and improved the quality of education in our classrooms.

3. What should the State of Illinois pay per child for public education?

My five-year blueprint for Illinois includes raising state investment in the classroom to its highest point in Illinois history, helping modernize classrooms across the state to ensure every student attends a first-rate school and teachers have the resources they need. This pan will allow us to fund the foundations level up to at least 100% over the next five years. My plan also includes doubling MAP scholarship grant funding to make sure deserving students in need can attend college; expanding dual enrollment and early college programs; and my Birth to Five Initiative, which is a game-changing investment to expand access to prenatal care, early care and learning opportunities for every child, and strong parent support. Were in the position to make this historic investment in education because of the hard work weve done over the past five years to get our finances in order.My opponent has proposed a budget that will slash funding for our classrooms. His budget plan, once fully implemented, would create an $8 billion hole in the state budget, of which, at current funding levels, would mean that K-12 education would absorb about $4 billion in cuts. Under this plan, at least one 1 of every 6 teachers would be laid off; class sizes will increase; art, music and physical education classes will be cut, and property taxes would rise just to keep school doors open. You cant have excellent schools without properly funding them, and this would take Illinois in the wrong direction.

4. Would you raise the minimum wage? If so, what amount would you push for it to be? And when?

Yes, I am currently fighting to raise the states minimum wage to at least $10 an hour to help Illinois workers and working families. This issue is about dignity and decency nobody should work 40 hours a week and live in poverty.Raising theminimumwagein Illinois is part of my commitment to drive economic growth, alleviate poverty and ensure all workers are treated fairly.By increasing the Illinoisminimumwageto $10 an hour, a half-million Illinois consumers will make an extra $4,800 a year and much of that extra income will be spent at local businesses on food, clothing and furniture, providing a strong boost to the local economy.Nearly two-thirds of small-business owners support raising the federal minimum wage because they believe it will help the economy and, in turn, enable them to hire more workers, according to a poll conducted by the Small Business Majority. Leaders from large companies such as Gap, Costco, Starbucks and Stride Rite also have supported increasing theminimumwageas a way to reduce employee turnover and improve workers productivity.The Illinoisminimumwage($8.25) is less than half of the average U.S. hourlywage. A full-timeminimumwageworker in Illinois makes approximately $17,000 annually, which is well below the Federal Poverty Threshold of $19,790 for a family of three.In contrast, my opponent has made it very clear that he does not support raising the minimum wage. In fact, he has admitted this year that he supports completely eliminating the minimum wage, has advocated to lower the minimum wage and has said he is adamantly, adamantly against raising the minimum wage. This is extreme and does not reflect the values of Illinois. Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do for our workers and our state.

5. Whats the BEST way out of the states pension mess?

I signed into law pension reform for new employees that is saving the state hundreds of billions of dollars. I also suspended legislators paychecks and my own, in order to enact comprehensive pension reform that Moodys credit rating agency said could be the most significant pension reform in the nation. The comprehensive pension reform I fought for a signed into law will eliminate our unfunded pension liability and stabilize our pension system.My opponent has proposed privatizing our pension system, which would cost the state billions of dollars and wreck employees retirement security.

6. Which job sector would you focus on first for growing jobs?

We have more work to do, but Illinois economy is making a comeback. Today, Illinois is leading the Midwest in job creation. Our unemployment rate has reached the lowest point in more than six years, and more people are working than when I took office. Contrary to a Republican misinformation campaign, Illinois is one of the best states in the country for attracting new businesses and helping existing businesses expand.According to Site Selection Magazine, Illinoisranks third in the country for corporate expansions and locations and we lead the Midwest in business creation more than 39,000 more businesses are registered in Illinois today than in 2009.One of the great advantages of Illinois is the states diverse economy, and continuing to growing the economy requires a focus on multiple sectors. My administration has identified high-potential, high-growth sectors that have the ability to make an outsized impact on the states economy. We will drive innovation by building research and technology hubs in sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy, and Information Technology. In addition, we must continue to invest in the fundamentals that drive our economy - our physical infrastructure and our people. We are a world-leading, transportation hub and we have a workforce second to none, but to continue to lead, we must continue to invest.We must help to train the generation of manufacturers through investment in education and workforce training programs.Through these efforts, we will ensure that over the next four years Illinois moves from stabilization to revitalization.And companies will continue to locate and expand in our state based on the fundamental value proposition that we offer a talented workforce, world class transportation, full access to the North American market, and a culture of innovation.