Answers to The News-Gazette's candidate questionnaire from JEFF BROWNFIELD, the Republican challenger in the 52nd state Senate District:

What makes you better qualified to serve than your opponent?

I'm not a career politician; I'm a husband, father, and dedicated community volunteer. My focus is on central Illinois, and I assure you that my voting record will align with the needs of our district, not the interests of Chicago. I refuse to be beholden to the corrupt political machine that has a stranglehold in Chicago and throughout our state. The legislation I support or introduce will prioritize the well-being of Champaign and Vermilion County families, small businesses, and farmers. Additionally, I am committed to eliminating burdensome regulations and taxes that stifle our community's economic growth.

Professionally, I was selected by a governor-appointed board to serve as the Executive Director of a state agency that had regulatory functions for human resources within state higher education. This role has given me valuable experience in working with state legislative bodies to revise statutes, manage and update administrative rules, and secure budgets. Furthermore, when there were changes to our statutes or administrative rules, I collaborated with higher education administrators and union representatives, as well as other employee representatives, to craft workable solutions for all parties.

I am eager to use this knowledge to advocate for policies that truly benefit our community.

If elected, what single issue would you make priority No. 1 and what specifically would you try to do about it?

We are taxed at one of the highest rates in the country, consistently ranking as the second- or third-highest state. This includes the second highest gas tax and similar property tax rates, in addition to our state income tax.

Despite these burdensome taxes, the services we receive are sorely lacking. Since Governor (J.B.) Pritzker took office, our state budget has ballooned from approximately $39 billion to $53 billion. Yet, I see little to no increase in the quality of services. For example, astronomical gas taxes have not resulted in better transportation services, and our roads remain poorly maintained.

The lack of accountability is staggering. Recently, the auditor general released a report revealing that the administration fraudulently paid over $5 billion in unemployment claims. The absolute power of this administration and the Democrat-controlled Senate has led to no consequences for these massive failures.

We need a full accounting of each state program and its effectiveness. We must eliminate programs that are not fulfilling their designated missions and enhance those that do. Additionally, agency directors need to be held accountable for their departments and the tax funds that our citizens provide. It's time to stop tax increases and require state agencies to operate within their means.

What's a single issue affecting East Central Illinois that hasn't been reported

At the end of the spring legislative session, the governor, with the support of our local Democratic representatives, passed and signed a bill related to carbon capture and carbon sequestration. There was little concern for the residents of central Illinois. This legislation permits CO2 sequestration anywhere in the state, with no protections for the Mahomet Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to nearly 1 million residents.

The issue arises if a pipeline were to leak and release CO2 into our groundwater, potentially creating carbonic acid and rendering the water unsafe for consumption. Carbon capture has been taking place at the ADM plant in Decatur, and recently, ADM reported two leaks from the storage facility, one occurring just a few miles from the aquifer.

This situation could become a scandal of epic proportions. In the spring, Senator Rose and Representative Schweizer warned against this impending disaster, introducing legislation to protect the aquifer and hold it harmless. Unfortunately, their advice was brushed aside at that time. Now, following the leaks, Senator Faraci and Representative Ammons are trying to introduce new legislation that they claim will protect the aquifer. They should have never given in to the whims of the governor and big business interests to vote in favor of the initial legislation that didn't assure the protection of the aquifer.

How would you answer this advisory question that is being put to voters: Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including but not limited to in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitations on the number of treatments?

This issue is very close to my heart and my family. Before we had both of our children, my wife and I were undergoing an IVF treatment protocol. The thought of not having access to these essential services would have been frightening. I firmly believe in supporting the availability of IVF and similar procedures. It's crucial that these procedures are conducted based on the doctor-patient relationship, ensuring that families have the resources they need to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Everyone deserves the opportunity to build their family without unnecessary barriers.

And this one: Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3 percent tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?

This referendum represents an attempt at an 'end run' around the state constitution. The Illinois Constitution explicitly prohibits a graduated income tax, and this has been reaffirmed by the voters. Just a few years ago, a proposal to implement a graduated income tax was put to the electorate, and it was decisively rejected. This referendum is merely a veiled attempt to bypass the clear will of the people and reintroduce a concept that they have already turned down.

Such maneuvers raise serious concerns about respect for democratic processes and the voice of the electorate. Instead of seeking to address the real financial challenges facing our state through transparency and accountability, this approach seeks to sidestep constitutional protections.

Furthermore, instituting a graduated income tax would ultimately lead to increased financial burdens on working families and small businesses, which are already feeling the strain of rising costs. The last thing we need is a tax structure that encourages wealth flight and disincentivizes investment in our communities.

We should focus on responsible budgeting and prioritizing the efficient use of taxpayer dollars rather than attempting to change the rules to suit political agendas. The people of Illinois deserve clarity and integrity in our tax policy, not convoluted tactics that undermine their choices.

What can be done to reverse Illinois' population trend of slow or no growth?

Illinois urgently needs a better business climate and a revision of its tax structure. For years, the state has experienced a population decline that cannot simply be attributed to residents seeking warmer climates or mountain ranges.

According to 2023 U.S. census estimates, Illinois is the only Midwestern state to lose population, while its neighbors have seen at least modest increases. This trend coincides with complete control of the state by a Democratic machine that extends its influence even into local city, county, and school board elections.

Surveys consistently indicate that a significant number of residents leave due to one of the highest tax burdens in the country, along with poor business conditions, heavy regulations, and the pervasive corruption in Springfield and Chicago.

To reverse these trends, we must revise our tax structure, lower taxes, and eliminate burdensome regulations, while assure a modicum of 'guardrails' to assure safety of our citizens with their business dealing. Additionally, we need to ensure that state services effectively meet the needs of our population.

Are there any circumstances where you would vote for state financial assistance to the city of Chicago or the Chicago school system?

There is no reason for the residents of the 52nd District to provide additional or special funding for Chicago. The mismanagement of the city of Chicago and its schools is of historic proportion. Residents of the 52nd District already pay extremely high taxes, and like any taxpayer, our dollars should primarily support our own community and its needs. It's essential that we prioritize funding for local services, education, and infrastructure rather than funneling more money into a system that has repeatedly failed to deliver results and to people that continually abuse the people's trust by misappropriating tax dollars. Finally, my focus will be to ensure that the 52nd district has access to the services that will help us prosper.

Would you support state assistance to the Chicago Bears and/or Chicago White Sox for construction of new stadiums?

Funding billionaires to create new shiny toys should not be the responsibility of the residents of the 52nd District. It's particularly striking when average citizens are asked to subsidize these ventures, only for those same billionaires to turn around and price most residents out of the market.

For instance, the upcoming Packers vs. Bears game, the lower-priced tickets are selling for around $400, with parking costs of $50 to $100. When you add in the price of food and drinks -- another $125 to $150 -- a family outing to the game could easily reach $1,750 to $2,000. Yet, these owners still expect our neighbors to help fund a new stadium. It would be almost comical if it weren't such a troubling reality. We must advocate for policies that prioritize our community's needs over the interests of wealthy investors.

Why do you want to serve in these hyper-partisan times?

My reason for running is public service. As a lifelong resident of Champaign, I'm deeply concerned about the direction of the 52nd District and the environment that my children, as well as the children and grandchildren of those in Champaign and Vermilion County, will inherit. One critical issue is ensuring that Danville and its surrounding areas receive the resources necessary for the community to thrive, just as it did when I was growing up. The recent closure of the Quaker Oats plant is emblematic of larger problems. That plant shut down while the state was funneling millions of dollars to businesses connected to the Chicago political machine, including plans to fund a plant controlled by the Chinese government, is unconscionable. Those we elect must focus on the needs of the 52nd District, not the interests of the Chicago machine.

Regarding hyper-partisanship, I want to assure the readers that I will fight for the people of this district with every ounce of energy. However, that doesn't mean I have disdain for those with differing views. It's rare that, after a policy discussion, that I shouldn't be able to go out for a bite to eat or a cold beer with someone from the other political party. Building relationships and finding common ground is essential for effective governance.

What's an issue in which your stance is different than the majority of those in your party?

Though not antithetical to my party, I do believe we need to focus more directly on early childhood education and care. However, it's crucial that we don't simply throw money at the problem and expect it to be solved. We must take the time to assess individual programs and concepts to ensure they truly benefit children and families.

Wealthy families often have access to a multitude of options for early childhood education -- multiple programs that cater to their needs. In contrast, working-class families, like those I grew up with, often struggle to find basic programs that prepare their children for success in school. It's essential that we provide robust, high-quality early education that ensures all children have a strong foundation before they enter kindergarten or first grade. Though these programs can never substitute for parental involvement, we need to assure that we have efficiently functioning programs.

This means investing in evidence-based programs that demonstrate real outcomes. We need to evaluate what works, eliminate programs that don't deliver results, and support initiatives that genuinely uplift our communities. By doing so, we are giving every family the opportunity to thrive and ensure that no child starts their educational journey at a disadvantage.

What, if anything, should voters know about you that wasn't covered any of these questions?

I will be a simple citizen legislator, and I've never held an elected office. We have too many career politicians creating laws and regulations without truly understanding the systems they establish. This current ruling class often exempts themselves from the very laws and regulations they impose on others.

During my tenure as an agency director, I encountered situations where others in state government showed little regard for appropriated funds, treating taxpayer dollars as if they were unlimited. With the help of my incredibly hard-working staff, we ran our agency like a small business. I don't mean to undermine small business owners; I understand that the taxpayers provided our appropriations. I was entrusted with their money, often earned through long hours and sacrifices, and I ensured our agency spent judiciously.

Though my experience showed otherwise, each agency should have followed our lead and made thoughtful decisions about staffing, travel, and supplies. Overnight travel should always be minimal, when we needed to upgrade our IT capabilities, we did so with careful consideration, ensuring that our decisions aligned with the needs of the higher education community we served. Finally, we hired staff to assure our mission was met, we didn't have a bloated group of personnel for simple headcount. Unfortunately, I often didn't find these same qualities in other state agencies.

Finally, I am beholden to the residents of central Illinois. Virtually 100 percent of the money I've raised has come from local residents, farmers, and small business owners -- my support doesn't come from billionaire and super PAC's outside of the 52nd. I will not vote along party lines; I will always prioritize the best interests of central Illinois and the people I represent.