I want to leave this state in better shape than I found it. It will take common sense to fix the problems that this state faces, but this task is not insurmountable. We need to create opportunities here in Illinois so that our children and grandchildren to do not have to leave the state to find work. I have been working throughout my life to build strong, safe communities for families in Illinois. I believe that strong communities build a strong state. That is why I want to continue to serve as an honest competent voice for Illinois’ 28th Senate district.
I was taught that the best way to fix a problem is to roll up your sleeves, jump in and get to work. I know we can find answers to the problems that face our state that do not include reckless new taxes. I have introduced legislation that would act as a road map to restore the state to fiscal solvency. My plan includes the following.
• Forensic audit to find and cut waste in state programs.
• Stricter residency and means testing for social programs.
• Incentives to bring jobs back to Illinois.
• Require a five year budget projection to build future responsibility.
We have an opportunity this November 2nd to take back Illinois. We have an opportunity to make Illinois a better place for our children, but I need your help. Click on the volunteer link to sign up for e-mails, yard signs, to walk precincts, or volunteer at headquarters. It will take all of us to put Illinois back on track.
Senator 28th District
My Plan to Put Illinois Back to Work
Illinois has become a toxic environment for business. We
have high taxes, excessive regulation, and cumbersome legal
requirements that chase businesses out. It is no wonder that
Illinois has been losing 650 jobs a day since Rod
Blagojevich took office. Legislators in Springfield need to
work across the aisle to bring jobs back to Illinois. We
need to cut taxes on businesses, increase incentives to grow
new industries, and view the private sector as a partner,
not a revenue source. If we grow good paying jobs at home we
will increase tax revenue, put our friends and neighbors
back to work and create safe strong communities for our
families.
Fixing Illinois’ Budget Crisis
There are serious fiscal problems that Illinois faces. State
government has been living beyond its means for far too
long. The Governor’s solution to the state’s budget
shortfall is to raise taxes. This proposal is unacceptable
and irresponsible. I will not vote for any new taxes until
state programs have been audited and the wasteful spending
has been cut. This will allow us to see where we stand
fiscally and make fair cuts, enabling government run more
efficiently.
Constant borrowing has only bought Illinois the worst credit
in the nation. We have to stop billing our children and
grandchildren for the things we want today. It is vital that
we keep the promises we have made. Illinois deserves real
leadership in making the hard choices. We cannot afford more
slick politicians with one size fits all proposals, easy
answers and quick fixes. We must treat these issues with the
care and concern that problems of this magnitude deserve.
A Plan for Cutting Wasteful Spending
State government must do what families all over are being
forced to do, tighten its belt. There is abundant fraud and
waste in state programs, and cutting out cheaters and crooks
will save the people of Illinois billions. I have a three
pronged approach to fix fraud, waste and abuse in Illinois.
- A forensic audit of the state’s most waste prone programs. This will allow for informed debate on where the cuts need to be made without hurting the people who rely on the services provided.
- Increased transparency. We have the technology to place every dime of state spending on a website, in real time, so that legislators and citizens alike can see how state money is being spent. This allows citizens to hold their representatives responsible.
- Restoring sanity to the budget process. This year rank and file members of the state general assembly received 45 minutes to review the more than 2,000 page budget. There is no way that anyone can make an informed decision on such an important document with that little time. This puts members in the position of voting only on partisan lines, with no input and totally politicizes one of the most important pieces of legislation passed every year.
Ethics Reform
Illinois needs meaningful ethics reform now. I was the
co-sponsor of the legislation that the Collins’ Commission
on government reform recommended. We need to be tough on
corruption, and tougher on eliminating “pay to play
politics” in Illinois. In addition we need to take the
politics out of the redistricting process. The practice of
gerrymandering is undemocratic, unjust and unfortunately
common practice. We need an independent commission to
oversee the map drawing process to ensure that politicians
are not picking their constituents.
Building Strong Safe Communities
I am 100% committed to building a strong safe Illinois for
our children and grandchildren. I have worked with police
departments across the state to make streets and
neighborhoods safer. I learned as a police officer that
strong communities make residents safer, keep kids off the
street, grow jobs and make Illinois a better place to live.
Learn more about Senator Millner's issues by visiting
http://www.johnmillner.com.
