SUZI ON THE ISSUES
Budget Accountability and Transparency
Today Illinois faces a budget deficit of over $13 Billion – the second worst budget deficit in the nation. Our debt has grown dramatically as politicians in Springfield made promises they knew we could not afford. Unfortunately, the Governor and ruling Democrat majority just keep digging a deeper hole and kicking the can down the road.
The budget that was passed this year spends $1 billion more than last year’s budget and relies on $6 billion in borrowing, fund raids and putting off payments. On top of that, it does nothing to reduce the $6 billion backlog in unpaid bills for medical providers and community-based caregivers.
Enough is enough!
As Chairman of the County Board, Suzi Schmidt has always maintained a balanced budget because she believes: You don't spend money you don't have. As a result of Suzi’s fiscal stewardship, Lake County is part of an elite group of counties nationwide with a triple AAA credit rating.
Suzi Schmidt and her husband, Bob, have lived in our community for almost 30 years. She can’t stand to watch the politicians in Springfield continue to waste our money and run up debt. It’s time to hold them accountable. We need a balanced, common-sense approach to the state budget that protects taxpayers.
As our State Senator, Suzi will oppose any tax increase until the waste in state spending is cut. With accountable leadership we can better spend current tax dollars on essential services like student learning, job-training, and improving our roads.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
In order for Illinois to recover from the economic recession, we must become a more job creation friendly state. Just last year the state of Illinois lost more than 237,000 jobs due to burdensome taxation, regulation, and litigation. If the state continues to ignore the needs of employers, we will continue to lose jobs to neighboring states.
The key to returning our state to prosperity and opportunity is to restore a business-friendly environment in Illinois that is fiscally sound and financially attractive. Suzi understands that employers and entrepreneurs will only make long-term investments in predictable environments that are fiscally sound. With our record breaking deficits, unsound tax policy, and political corruption, Illinois is telling employers we are closed for business. That needs to change if we are to put hardworking families back on the road to prosperity.
Smart Investment in Roads and Infrastructure
Suzi knows that investing in infrastructure projects in Lake County
and throughout Illinois encourages economic development and attracts
new employers to our state and county. Suzi believes that the quality of
Lake County roads is directly connected to our quality of life. Better
roads means less time commuting and more time with our families and
friends.
As Chairman of the County Board, Suzi helped secure millions of dollars in funding for new road projects in Lake County in order to ease traffic congestion, improve safety, and to encourage a business-friendly environment. She has pro-actively advocated for the extension of Route 53 and continues to fight for a north-south corridor to improve traffic congestion in Lake County. Lack of matching funds from the state has cost Lake County millions in federal dollars that are imperative to ensuring a safe, well-maintained road and bridge system. Suzi wants to go to Springfield to be the voice for Lake County and ensure no more road funding is lost due to fund sweeps and unbalanced budgets.
Low Taxes
All over the nation hardworking families are struggling to make ends meet during the current economic downturn. Between high taxes and fees in Illinois, saving for retirement and paying for our kids' college tuition, it seems nearly impossible to make ends meet.
Governor Quinn's proposal to increase state income taxes by 33% or more to close the gap in the state budget is not the answer. For as long as Illinois families have been paying into the system, it is now the responsibility of the state legislature to do its part by reducing waste, eliminating fraud in state programs and streamlining services; the political mismanagement of Springfield should not be the taxpayers' burden to carry.
We must protect Illinois families and their financial futures by refusing to increase taxes while fiscal mismanagement is taking place.
Protecting the Environment
Throughout her service as Commissioner on the Forest Preserve District Board, Suzi has fought to protect open space and preserve our local environment for future generations. With a commitment to education and recreation in its natural context, the Forest Preserves of Lake County are a unique system of natural and cultural resources that Suzi has dedicated her career to protecting.
The Forest Preserve District has become one of Lake County's most cherished treasurers, providing families with year-round recreation and cultural and educational opportunities, and as her record shows, Suzi is dedicated to its preservation for generations to come and pledges to continue to protect these natural lands as a State Senator.
