CANDIDATE Q&A: State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon – Illinois House, District 90

Editor's note: Sauk Valley Media sent the same questionnaire to state legislative candidates in Illinois House Districts 71, 89 and 90 and Illinois Senate Districts 36 and 45. The candidates' responses will be posted as part of SVM's Election Central coverage at saukvalley.com. 

State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, is seeking a fourth term in the Illinois House of Representatives. A Republican, he first won the seat in 2012, defeating three candidates in the primary before knocking off Democrat Thomas Boken Jr. in the general election. In 2014 and 2016, Demmer was unopposed in both the primaries and general elections.

In July, Demmer was named deputy House minority leader, giving him the second-highest ranking in the House Republican Caucus. Demmer was chief negotiator for the House Republicans in the budget negotiations, and served on 14 House committees during the spring legislative session.

He is co-founder of the Illinois Future Caucus, a group of young lawmakers focused on innovative, bipartisan politics.

He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton, is director of innovation and strategy at KSB Hospital in Dixon, and served on the Lee County Board prior to his election.

1. What does Illinois need to do to fix the pensions problem?

This year we offered the first pilot programs for voluntary buyouts. These options save the state money and can be attractive options for some pension system members. I'd like to expand these buyouts to more people and offer different structures of buyouts to increase the uptake from members.

We could set up a variety of buyouts for things like the cost-of-living adjustment, retirement age, final pensionable salary, and other aspects of the pension benefit. With the right offer and good participation, the state can significantly reduce its unfunded pension liability.

2. What can be done to address the budget deficit? Do you support an income tax increase?

I do not support an income tax increase, and I oppose amending the Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax increase. The people of Illinois already pay some of the highest taxes in the country – it’s important to remember that people don’t just pay income taxes, we also have property taxes and sales taxes.

The state of Illinois has opportunities to reduce costs in the Medicaid program through managed care implementation and eligibility verification, in employee group health insurance through benefit renegotiation, in pensions through expansion of voluntary buyouts, and in state agencies through investment in labor-saving technology and equipment.

During my time in the Legislature, I’ve worked on bipartisan solutions to decrease the cost of government and provide better value for taxpayers.

3. The governor's business turnaround agenda has resulted in gridlock. What must be done to facilitate job growth in Illinois?

In addition to reducing property taxes, Illinois needs to focus on developing a high-quality workforce.

In the past few years, the most common feedback I hear from local employers is that they have difficulty finding qualified employees to fill job openings. They also say that if they knew they had quality applicants in the area, they would jump at the chance to add new jobs, shifts, or locations.

We should look to implement results-based funding for universities and community colleges, and direct the State Board of Education to review job skills and vocational education offered by Illinois high schools.

4. Based on conversations with voters, what are the most important issues in your district?

Jobs, taxes, and providing better opportunities – in education, community services, and careers – for people in Illinois. People want to see that their hometown and home state can turn the corner and provide stable opportunities for the future.

5. Where do you stand on redistricting and term limits? Do you have any other ideas for changing the state's political culture?

I have publicly supported legislation to put Fair Maps redistricting reform and term limits amendments on the ballot, and I supported the citizen petition initiatives to put those questions on the ballot, too.

Also, in order to improve the state’s political culture and promote more work across the aisle, I am co-founder and co-chairman of both the bipartisan Future Caucus and Children’s Health Caucus. I have been the lead Republican negotiator on the budget, Medicaid bills, and other key legislative initiatives.

I believe we can be more successful when we work together, regardless of party.

6. Sky-high property taxes are driving people out of their homes and the state. What can be done to ease the burden?

We must address the growing burden of property taxes. We can relieve pressure through expanded options for government consolidation and by reducing unfunded mandates on local governments and school districts.

For several years, I have been involved in bipartisan efforts to reduce property taxes through those methods.

We can also give a predictable funding stream to school districts through a revamped funding formula to reduce the amount of funding that has to come from local property taxpayers.