Kane County Reporter

Tracy Smodilla, Republican candidate for the 22nd District State Senate seat, said Gov. Bruce Rauner has demonstrated a willingness to challenge status-quo policies, and that she is advocating his Turn Around Agenda.

“While not always popular because they demand critical thought, compromise and political will, his ideas have been creative and fair to the general interest of our state, not a handful of special interests,” Smodilla told the Kane County Reporter.

In an interview about her platform for challenging Democrat Cristina Castro in November, Smodilla said her leadership style is to support people who think outside the box, then  collaborate with others to bring consensus and resolution to problems.

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“I am extremely confident that the Turn Around Agenda will be successful," Smodilla said. "Many of the pro-business solutions being suggested will bring sorely needed revenues to the state."

Smodilla said that if companies feel welcome in Illinois because a business-friendly welcome mat has been rolled out, they would be more willing to pay their fair share of corporate taxes.

“Their employees also contribute to the tax base," Smodilla said. "The companies also generate sales taxes and property taxes. The operative word, though, is ‘fair.’”

 Her position is that no company or individual should be asked to operate under policies that demand more and more when there is increasingly less to give. All companies should be given a shot at competing for government projects, jobs and contracts in a free-market economy, Smodilla said.

“The secondary benefit to a broad and fair tax base is that Illinois will no longer be scrambling to fund critical services to our most vulnerable, education and infrastructure," Smodilla said. "That our state has been 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' is immoral."

 Smodilla argues that veterans, senior citizens, the medically fragile and others who truly need help are denied access to services, or services have been delayed, because funding has been diverted to propping up pensions.

Noting that the financial crisis didn’t happen overnight, Smodilla said Illinoisans must set aside identity politics to create a common vision and work toward it.

“It will take a tremendous amount of political will, and some may not be able to (accept) that, but the voters will decide if those reticent to genuine compromise and change are suitable for elected leadership moving forward,” Smodilla said.

If the legislature convenes with a mindset for deliberate action, the state will move forward with tackling these issues, Smodilla said, but there is no way to determine how long it will take to implement any portion of the Turn Around Agenda.

“So much of that is determined by the will of the legislature," Smodilla said. "Some points, such as business reform, could happen in a relatively short time and the benefits realized quickly, giving the state relief through financial and even psychological momentum."

However, more complex issues, such as pension reform, could take several years to resolve, depending on agreed-upon solutions. Options could include constitutional amendments or federal legislation that would permit the state legislature to make preemptive changes to the Illinois Constitution.

“These are not easy options, but I’ve yet to see another alternative," Smodilla said. "No matter what, we must do something to get started, as the policy in place is not sustainable, and Illinois will go bankrupt and likely never recover."

Smodilla said her campaign will be focusing on reforming basic policies.

“It means fair competition in business, it means fiscal responsibility and sustainability, it means empowering our citizens with truth and accountability in governance,” Smodilla said.