2004 Year in Review

Haring running for Illinois House of Representative

During the political campaign period thecity1.com has invited state and national political incumbents and their challengers to our offices in Morrison for a question and answer session. We offer a few written questions in advance, which are responded in writing by the candidates and the interviews are unscripted with questions from thecity1.com.

Steve Haring, of Savanna, Illinois responded to our invitation and interview on Wednesday, September 1, 2004. Mr. Haring is running as the Republican challenger to Democrat Mike Boland for the 71st District in the Illinois House of Representatives. Morrison is within the 71st District and to learn more about this race and others simply click on the “2004 Election” icon running off our homepage.

TC1 written question 1.) Please give our viewers online a description of how long you have lived in the area, what vocations you have experienced and family and children.

Steve Haring written answer: Steve was born December 15, 1959 in Savanna, Illinois. Steve graduated from Savanna High School in 1978. He attended the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and earned an Associates Degree from Clinton Community College in 1985.

Married in May 1984, Steve and wife Lorraine presently reside at 313 Nevada Street in Savanna with their three sons, Justin 16, Matthew 5 and Aaron 4. Other than time away at college, Steve has remained a Savanna (Carroll County) resident.

Steve’s first full time job after college was with the Savanna Times Journal and Northwestern Illinois Dispatch Newspapers. His responsibilities included Advertising Sales Representative and Sports Reporter-Photographer for ten years.

Steve was Executive Director for Jo-Carroll Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA). The LRA, under the inter-governmental agreement between Carroll and Jo Daviess counties in Northwest Illinois is in charge of the redevelopment of the closed Savanna Army Depot federal military installation. As Executive Director, Steve was directly involved with analyzing the property (13,000 acres) development of a reuse plan, along with marketing the property to several local, regional and national entrepreneurs and companies looking to relocate and-or start new businesses in the area. The LRA worked closely with various federal and state agencies which gave him the opportunity of building working relationships with local, county, state and federal legislators who had a sincere interest in the redevelopment of the site.

Steve has been Economic Development Director for Blackhawk Hill Economic Development District for the past five years. He serves the six county area of Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson and Whiteside in Northwest Illinois. Responsibilities include working directly with community and county officials, regional economic development professionals, community development organizations, site selection consultants, state and federal agencies, legislators and other interested parties in a broad range of projects including business retention and expansion, infrastructure improvements, worker training and retraining, development of alternative energy sources, value-added agriculture opportunities, and strategic planning at community, county and regional levels.

TC1 written question 2.) Our funding system in Illinois for our schools is based on property taxes. Should this be changed and if so, how?

Steve Haring written answer: I believe that school funding based on property taxes is out dated and unfair. Several different funding proposals have been discussed over the years, but with no legislative action. I will work with our area legislators in developing legislation that provides equitable funding and equitable education opportunities for our kids. One such opportunity that I would look at is a slight increase of our State Income Tax, with a decrease in our Property Tax.

TC1 written question 3.) Is it reasonable for a Morrison, Illinois resident to believe they can make a difference with their vote?

Steve Haring written answer: Residents of Morrison should believe that their votes make a difference. Elections have been won and-or lost by a matter of just a few hundred votes and in many cases by just one or two votes. Having lived in neighboring Carroll County all my life and working in partnership with leaders of Morrison and Whiteside County as Economic Development Director for Blackhawk Hills RC&D for several years I know what the issues of our region are. I ask for and would greatly appreciate your vote!!! As State Representative, I vow to continue to work in partnership with the people of Morrison, Whiteside County and the 71st District. More and better job opportunities, equitable and quality education for our kids, a stronger and more diverse agriculture industry and medical liability insurance reform are just a few things that I feel strongly about.

TC1 written question 4.) Senior citizens as well as young citizens are losing health care benefits at alarming rates. How can Illinois government help reverse this trend?

Steve Haring written answer: Health care is a big issue in the State of Illinois and across the country. First we need to better educate all citizens about the health care programs that are presently available through the State. Legislators need to be more proactive, verses reactive to the needs of citizens. I will work with my legislative colleagues to revamp Medicaid programs and State prescription drug benefit policies so that health care coverage is available to those in need.

TC1 written question 5.) Can you describe the benefits the proposed Highway 30 Economic Corridor will bring to Morrison and the surrounding area?

Steve Haring written answer: I believe the proposed Highway 30 four-lane corridor through Whiteside County would be a benefit to Morrison, the County and the region. First, the new four-lane would make east-west travel through the county a much safer experience. In addition the four-lane highway would enhance economic development. New commercial and industrial development opportunities would be seen, creating jobs for the people of Morrison and surrounding region. This new four-lane highway must continue to be well thought out and carefully planned. As State Representative I will work with the people of Whiteside County and my fellow legislators to secure state funding, as well as federal funding to see the project through.

TC1 interview question: If elected to the Illinois House – Is there specific legislation you are interested in introducing?

Steve Haring response: I would look at all the taxes and fees that have been recently implemented and if any have an adverse affect. We need to be more frugal with expenses and be more careful how we handle taxes collected.

TC1 interview question: Morrison residents, like so many in Illinois are tired of state budget problems. As a state legislator, how can you help solve this financial crisis?

Steve Haring response: I am fed up also with the state’s budget crisis and I want to go to Springfield and help fix this problem. I believe Illinois needs to become a more employer friendly state and thus create more good paying jobs. My opponent is anti-employer and anti-employee and has voted for over 300 new fees and has voted in favor of new taxes. We need to create a new atmosphere, which encourages business to first, stay in Illinois and to grow and prosper thus helping our state’s economy and budget.

TC1 interview question: A large portion of Morrison residents are retired and on fixed incomes. Can you reassure them there is no future tax increases on their property?

Steve Haring response: Illinois property taxes are not on par and are not equitable. They are not fair to senior citizens on fixed incomes and I am willing to look at previous proposals regarding property tax relief. I believe we should look at simultaneously the possibility of a property tax decrease and a slight increase in our state income tax.

TC1 interview question: Parents of school age children do not understand the education budget crisis but they see firsthand fees for every possible item and cutbacks in teachers and school activities. What solutions do you see?

Steve Haring response: I have seen firsthand as a member of the Savanna School Board how devastating this education budget crisis can be to a community. We have cut administrators, cut teaching staff, discussed possible consolidation, increased fees for many programs and activities and still we come out short. School budgets are now cut to the bone and there’s nothing left to cut. If we are to change for the better, these budget problems, I believe we need to do a couple of things 1) Review and revise our current property tax based system for funding our schools and 2) Change how we view our teaching professionals, not as a business profession but as instructors for our children.

TC1 interview question: The city of Morrison’s budget is based in part with sales tax revenue collected by Morrison businesses and sent on to the Illinois Department of Revenue. A defined portion is to be re-sent back to Morrison by the state. This past year, Morrison did not receive the full amount due back. How can you reassure, first, Morrison businesses that all sales tax being collected will be wisely allocated; and second, how can you reassure city leaders their budgets are sound, based in part by expectations of receiving their fair and legal share collected locally?

Steve Haring response: I believe that the state must have a strong fiscal responsibility and must continue to control expenses. We must have a stronger emphasis on economic development. We need to create more jobs and stop sending our workers and businesses to other countries and other states. Illinois is flat in comparison to adjoining states with job creation, we are lagging way behind.

TC1 interview question: Morrison is primarily an agribusiness community and although far from foreign markets the affect of European nations excluding our new disease resistant corn is having a negative financial impact locally. How can you help Morrison farm owners and managers?

Steve Haring response: Thank you for the question. I will look into this and give you an informed response. I will say that the state of Illinois can do a better job at promoting our corn and soy based alternative market programs, including the ethanol fuel program.

TC1 interview question: Morrison is having its 150th birthday party in 2005. As a legislator, how do you see yourself helping Morrison grow and prosper for the next 25 years?

Steve Haring response: I have a willingness and desire to learn more about Morrison as a legislator representing the community. It really boils down to the people of Morrison defining for themselves where they want their town to go. State government can help and unlike my opponent who voted against a budget that would have helped Morrison’s schools I would have voted for it. I would come back to Morrison frequently as a legislator and listen and assist Morrison in a direction Morrison residents believe is best for them.

TC1 interview question: What is your campaign going to cost?

Steve Haring response: I really won’t know until the end of the campaign. I have taken a leave of absence from my job and rely on campaign donations.

TC1 interview question: Final comments?

Steve Haring response: Thank you for inviting me for this interview and an opportunity to share my thoughts. The three (3) areas I am committed to promoting are jobs, education and markets. We need good paying jobs, an education system that works and markets where business can thrive and prosper.

Other items of interest furnished by Steve Haring are as follows: He is a life long member and active participant of St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has been a school board member sine 1998 for the Savanna Community Unit District #300 Board of Education. He is also a past president and member of the Savanna Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the Savanna Volunteer Fire Department after 15 years of service. Steve is also a past president of the Savanna All-Sports Booster Club.

This interview was conducted by Bob Vaughn, Dawn Zuidema and Larry Gatz at 230 East Main Street, Morrison, Illinois.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
September 8, 2004