Rezin: Help business, help the state

State Sen. Sue Rezin believes compromise and a better business environment will help solve many of Illinois’ problems.

“I’m a conservative. My colleagues across the aisle are not, but we find common ground. I’m experienced in negotiating complex issues and high property taxes are the No. 1 issue,” Rezin said.

The two-term incumbent Republican from Morris is running against Democrat Heidi Henry, of rural Marseilles, in the Nov. 6 election for the 38th District. Rezin, 55, met with editors from The Times and the Morris Herald-News on Wednesday in Ottawa.

The 38th District reaches from Henry to Plano to Streator to Wilmington, taking in most of La Salle County. Rezin maintains district offices in Peru and Morris. The chairman of Rezin’s campaign committee is Dr. John Roth, of Morris. Rezin and her husband, Dr. Keith Rezin, have four children. Rezin co-owns and manages her family’s real estate company.

Rezin stressed her goal is to help make Illinois an inviting state in which to do business, a condition which has not applied for some time. Rezin said “predictability and stability” are missing in state finances and operations, which businesses dislike. Easing up on taxation will help in this direction, according to Rezin.

“Our only answer has been to tax more. We need to freeze taxes, then take a breath and make changes,” Rezin noted.

Rezin is opposed to a progressive tax in Illinois, saying it would only encourage more taxation.

The revenue loss that would result from reduced taxes, would be offset by revenue raised through the strengthened economy that would follow.

Likewise, a healthier business climate would provide more revenue to fund pensions. Other measures, such as early pension buyouts, would also help, according to Rezin.

Rezin is against raising the state minimum wage, saying she’ll leave it to small businesses to decide whether to pay above the wage. She also wants workers’ compensation reform.

Schools have attracted Rezin’s attention. She said she has worked to improve the school funding formula and to offer inducements to keep college students in Illinois institutions instead of out-of-state colleges.

She has further worked to set up high school and community college programs to furnish workers for the “energy corridor” jobs she said are needed in her senate district, more so the eastern part.

Rezin opposes legalization of recreational marijuana, saying she believes it’s the gateway that leads to hard drugs, such as opioids. In this connection, the opioid problem can be attacked by clamping down on bad doctors and prescription abuse, and furnishing mental health resources.

When it comes to health care costs, Rezin said she is “not sure government is the answer,” suggesting the private sector be more involved and prices kept transparent, with Medicaid reform.

She also supports term limits for officeholders, suggesting, for a start, limits on how long party leaders, such as Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, can serve in the top posts in the General Assembly.

The state senator said she is “fiercely protective of my district,” pointing to her efforts to allow emergency room facilities in Streator, settle landfill issues in Sheridan and flooding in Marseilles, among other projects.

To view the full interview, visit The Times Facebook page at fb.com/mywebtimes.

The Times and Morris Herald-News editors spoke with Democratic candidate Heidi Henry, who is opposing Rezin on the ballot, on Monday.