She has shown support for transparency laws and ethics legislation, and that's important given the current climate in Springfield.

(Cole) oppose(s)tax increases and prefer(s) a zero-based budget, and eliminating inefficient programs to solve state budget woes.

(Cole) say jobs and business development are key district issues; Cole thinks creating a technology zone would help.

62nd District (far north suburbs): Republican Rep. Sandy Cole of Grayslake, who served as a Lake County Forest Preserve commissioner for a decade before going to the House, is a well-informed advocate on environmental issues. She also provides a cogent analysis of why Illinois trails almost every state in job growth. She is endorsed over computer developer and consultant Paul Mitchell of Hainesville.

NEWS LINKS COLE CAMPAIGN 2010

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/grayslake/news/1997725,grayslake-web62nd-012110-s1.article

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/election/1985650,62-house-dist-cole-011210.article

http://www.lakecountyjournals.com/articles/2010/01/13/43489941/index.xml

GRAYSLAKE – The race to be the Republican nominee for state representative in the 62nd District features incumbent Sandy Cole against political newcomer Paul Mitchell.

The winner of the primary race will face Democrat Rich Voltair in the November general election.

Cole, 56, has served in the General Assembly since 2007. Prior to her election to the General Assembly, the Grayslake resident served for 10 years on the Lake County Board, and for 10 years as a commissioner with the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

That experience in the community, coupled with the constituent services she provides to residents, makes her deserving of re-election, Cole said.

“I’m one of those public servant kind of elected officials,” she said. “I like my constituent services that my office offers.”

Mitchell, 47, is making his first run for political office.

The Hainesville resident said he did not want to see Cole run unopposed for the Republican nomination because of her stances on social issues, especially abortion and gay marriage.

“I believe that Republicans should have the choice of having a conservative option on their primary ballot,” Mitchell said. “We deserve to have someone who upholds our values.”

Both candidates agree that Illinois must begin reigning in spending and not resort to tax hikes to fix its budget problems.

Jobs and unemployment are the biggest issues facing the district right now, Cole said, and an emphasis must be put on helping small businesses stay afloat.

Illinois needs to mirror the tax incentives provided to companies by neighboring states if it is going to stop exporting business, she said.

“Companies truly are just hanging on,” Cole said. “Anything that you pile on to them, in a crisis like this, they will either fold, go bankrupt, or they will relocate.”

Much of the over-spending issue can be blamed on leadership in the General Assembly, she said.

“There is just no review of programs, what works, what doesn’t work,” Cole said. “It’s like this fear, I think, of the powers that be.”

The recommendations of the state’s auditor general should be followed when it comes to addressing budget problems and finding potential cuts in spending, Cole said.

Unemployment, a lack of job growth and a lack of accountability among elected officials are some of the top concerns facing the state and the district, Mitchell said.

Placing all proposed spending in the state online for voters to access will help increase accountability, Mitchell said. No agency or program should assume it will get an increase in funding every budget cycle, he said.

“[The state should] make every single program justify its existence,” Mitchell said. “There should not be an assumption that every agency is necessary.”

Both candidates said they do not support expansion of video gambling as a way to fund the state’s capital bill, and that voters should have the ability to recall elected officials in rare cases.

Although he does not take issue with Cole’s record on taxes, voting against tax increases is not enough, Mitchell said.

“I think [state representatives] need to be leading a fight [against taxes],” he said. “I think they need to be trying to get people involved ... [Cole] doesn’t do that kind of leadership.”

Cole said she has alerted district residents to proposed or new taxes and that she’s happy to run on her record.

“I think I’ve done a real good job,” Cole said. “I think people will re-elect me because I’m honest and I’m helpful.”

Mitchell also maintains that Cole does not uphold the Republican platform, particularly on abortion.

“We are a Mecca for abortion from the entire Midwest,” Mitchell said. “That does harm to a culture; it does harm to a society; and it does harm to an economy.”

Cole said she is continuously polling residents of the 62nd District about their views and that her beliefs line up with what voters believe. The top concern she hears from district voters are related to jobs and the economy, not social issues, Cole said.

Abortion should be seen as a personal responsibility issue, she said.

“It’s a medical decision that women need to make with their priest, their husband, their boyfriend,” Cole said.

The 62nd District covers all or part of Grayslake, Hainesville, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa, Gages Lake and Gurnee.

Two Republicans face off for 62nd House

January 21, 2010

By ANGELA D. SYKORA asykora@pioneerlocal.com

In seeking election to a second term in office, State Rep. Sandy Cole, R-62nd, of Grayslake, cites government experience, a proven legislative record and a willingness to work on both sides of the aisle among the strongpoints of her candidacy. The incumbent will face newcomer Paul Mitchell of Hainesville for the Republican nomination in the Feb. 2 primary election. Rich Voltair, of Round Lake Beach, is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Cole, a former Lake County Board member who was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in Nov. 2006 to fill the seat vacated by Robert Churchill, said she is seeking re-election to continue her "Family Focus" agenda for residents in the 62nd District. The district encompasses all or portions of Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Grandwood Park, Hainesville, Third Lake, the Round Lake area, Wadsworth and Wildwood.

State Rep. Sandy Cole, R-62nd, of Grayslake

"I really believe in being a representative," said Cole, an accountant. "I don't look at is as politics. I look at it as a job, and I like my job."

Her conservative Republican challenger, who is pro-life and anti-gay marriage, claims Cole has poorly represented her party, the Republican platform, even her Catholic faith.

Cole defends she has not strayed from Republican principles, maintaining her job is not to push her own social and moral agenda, but to represent to the best of her ability what her constituents want.

"It's all about walking in someone else's shoes and being open-minded to understand how my decisions affect people," said Cole.

Mitchell accuses the incumbent of being "wishy-washy" on social and moral issues.

For example, if elected, Mitchell said he would eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers and instead fund services to aid pregnant women in crisis. He would also uphold traditional marriage if it comes to a vote.

Cole, who is pro-choice, feels abortion is a public health issue that should not be legislated. She also defends that Planned Parenthood is the largest sponsor of women's health services, such as life-saving mammograms.

On same-sex marriage, Cole said she has polled her district on the issue, and for the most part, her constituents are split. Cole said she would support civil unions, which takes out the church aspect and is more about a contractual agreement, if that is what the majority of her constituents want.

In her first three years in office, Cole has authorized nine pieces of legislation that have become law. She is also the co-sponsor of 100 bi-partisan bills that have been signed by the governor to become law.

Cole said she is particularly proud of being chief sponsor or co-sponsor of bills that have passed including a budget transparency law establishing an online public database of all state expenditures and salaries; tax credits for start-up costs for businesses to provide day care services for employees; the Farm Fresh Schools Act; ovarian cancer screenings; and amendments to the Sex Offender Registration Act.

If re-elected, Cole said she would continue to focus on education funding, property tax relief, health care availability, job creation and retention, constituent services and transportation needs. She particularly wants to secure funding for smaller road projects that can give motorists relief "in their lifetime," while still working to progress long-term initiatives such as the Route 120 bypass.

Economic growth is another concern for Cole, who feels the state is losing business to Wisconsin because Illinois places too many tax burdens on businesses and offers too few tax incentives.

More on Sandy Cole can be found at www.repcole62.com

CHALLENGER

Newcomer Paul Mitchell admits he has no previous political experience but said he offers Republican voters a true Republican candidate who is running on the Republican platform, not away from it.

"I am a conservative Republican who will represent Republican values. Voters should have the opportunity to vote for someone who does."

Mitchell, a former Air Force staff sergeant who is married with five children, said he wants to provide a conservative alternative to Cole.

"I'm the guy who's not satisfied with the way things are going," said Mitchell. "She's got the experience, but if you need to see a change, I'm your guy."

If elected state representative in the Nov. 2 general election, Mitchell said he would take a six-month leave of absence from his job as a database developer for FileMaker Pro during the legislative session.

Knowing he has no name recognition, Mitchell said he's been working on the primary campaign since last May, and opened his campaign office on Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee in November.

If elected, Mitchell said he would fight to reduce taxes; oppose wasteful spending; make the state budget process transparent; work with fellow governmental agencies on much-needed road improvements; and promote economic growth.

Mitchell said Cole has voted for nearly every spending bill that has come before her since she got to Springfield, and he will be more willing to say no.

On transportation, Mitchell said legislators from all areas need to work together for the greater good because transportation "is a problem we all share."

When it comes to securing funding for road improvement projects, Mitchell believes, "We've got to make a stink about it year-round, not give up and say better luck next time."

The state could also do more to be more welcoming to new businesses so they aren't lost to Wisconsin, said Mitchell.

"We need to change the perception that Illinois is hostile to business."

Mitchell said he would meet with large businesses in Lake County that are considering expanding into Wisconsin, find out what their needs are and look for solutions.

Mitchell also believes parents should have greater influence over their child's education and there should be more options aside from public schools such as charter and private schools. One way to improve the public school system, he said, is to put schools in competition with each other to attract students.

Mitchell also makes no bones that he also has strong views on marriage and family issues, scientific research and gun rights.

Grayslake businesses seek change in Route 45 work

By Mick Zawislak | Daily Herald Staff 11/25/09

A collection of small business owners on Route 45 in Grayslake is keeping the heat on state transportation officials regarding a project they say is needed but not designed properly.

Widening the heavily traveled section of Route 45 from Route 120 to Washington Street is a good idea, business interests said Tuesday at a news conference at Fast Jacks car wash.

However, the 15-year-old plan that calls for an impassable median is unnecessary and would block access to local businesses that have invested millions since the original plan surfaced, they added.

Former Grayslake mayor Tim Perry was on the board of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce & Industry that passed a resolution in 1994 saying the raised median would restrict access and "severely damage the ability of existing businesses to prosper."

Though the project length has been shortened from Route 120 to Washington Street rather than Rollins Road, the current chamber board on Nov. 5 reiterated its position in the exact language.

Despite the time lag, Perry said, the project is still bad for more than two dozen businesses because it includes the same ill-advised median.

State Rep. Sandy Cole of Grayslake also supported the businesses in their fight and suggested a mountable median to allow access.

"These plans are 15 years old. There's no reason why they can't change," she said.

Business owners agree the widening project, scheduled to begin in early to mid-2010, is needed to move traffic.

"What is the point of cutting our businesses off? That's not where the accidents are anyway," said Lisa Smith, co-owner of Eagle Flag & Flagpoles Inc.

Owners began voicing their concerns early this year. They since have made a YouTube video and had several meetings with state Sen. Michael Bond, who secured funding for the project.

Bond said he has met with the owners six times and with Illinois Department of Transporation officials twice.

"We've been working together quite extensively to try and determine some alternative design," he said.

IDOT has included more median "cut ins" to allow access and is considering left-turn lanes that would allow for U-turns on the five-lane improved road, he added.

Connecting the parking lots of the businesses is another element being considered.

"I'm optimistic IDOT is working with us and is trying to be creative," Bond said.

Lake County Republican lawmakers called for a state budget that would eliminate new spending initiatives and make pension and Medicaid reforms, but one that would not slash funding for social services or raise the state's income tax.

State Reps. Ed Sullivan, R-51st, of Mundelein, Sandy Cole, R-62nd, of Grayslake, and Mark Beaubien, R-52nd, of Wauconda, and State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-26th, Lake Barrington, held a joint press briefing Wednesday on the state budget at the Century 21 Market Place in Mundelein.

Beaubien acknowledged the state is facing a real budget crisis and while there are somewhat different estimates as to the amount he believes the state debt is in the $9 billion range.

"The numbers are real, the debt is real," he said.

Still, Beaubien believes the state still has time, at least six months, to come up with a comprehensive budget plan.

Gov. Pat Quinn has warned that there could be severe cuts in human services and potential layoffs of thousands of employees if a budget plan isn't passed by July 1, but Beaubien believes those threats are unjustified.

"I think that the wrong way of going about it," he said. "I think at the end of the day we'll come up with a budget."

Cole said her office has received calls from constituents who fear that vital human services such as programs for the mentally ill and disabled and early childhood education are going to be cut if a budget isn't passed soon.

"Using vulnerable people like that in this game of chicken is shameless," she said.

Duffy agreed: "You may say (former Gov. Rod) Blagojevich is gone, but his tactics are continuing on."

The lawmakers placed most of the blame for the budget mess in Springfield at the doorstep of Michael Madigan, the powerful Democratic House Speaker.

"Here we are four of the last seven years in overtime session," said Sullivan. "The common denominator in all of these overtime sessions is Speaker Madigan. He controls the agenda. Our state is suffering because of Speaker Madigan."

Sullivan said Republicans were ignored during much of the budget negotiation process but now that the legislature has gone in to overtime session, Democratic leaders will need Republican support to pass a budget.

Instead of severely cutting social services or raising the state's income tax, Sullivan said he would to a 10 percent across-the-board budget cut for all state departments. He also believes the state needs to look at possible pay freezes for state employees this year.

He also believes the budget should include pension and Medicaid reform, as well as strong state ethics legislation that limits in-kind contributions.

Cole said she supports a moratorium on new spending and programs and does not favor drastic cuts to social services or existing programs.

"We're not proposing cutting social services," she said. "We're talking about cutting new spending in the budget."

Beaubien said he also believes the legislature should use most of the federal stimulus money it receives to pay down the state's debt, rather than for new programs.

Duffy said he believes a major reason for the budget problems and corruption in Springfield is that Democrats have controlled both Houses of the General Assembly and the governorship for the past six years.

"It's not what democracy is all about," he said. "We need a two-party system and we've got a one-party system."

Local youth programs receive big boost

Two state representatives teamed up for a town hall meeting Monday at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, discussing a wide range of topics like taxes, road improvements and health care.

Sandy Cole, R-62nd of Grayslake, and JoAnn Osmond, R-61st of Antioch, gave a joint presentation and fielded questions from audience members.

Both representatives criticized Gov. Rod Blagojevich and painted a bleak picture of state finances.

"The state government has a spending problem with not enough revenue to meet its needs," Cole said.

"The state budget is based on a revenue estimate of $30 billion. The weakened economy has resulted in fewer dollars than expected coming into the state. Now the state is facing a $750 million revenue shortfall for 2008," Cole continued.

According to Cole, structural deficit, caused by increased spending on failed revenue sources, borrowing and one-time gimmicks will worsen in 2009.

As unemployment has risen from 4 percent in 2006 to 5.2 percent in 2007, and Illinois has lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, the representatives blamed democratic programs.

Osmond said the democratic agenda adds up to more taxes on payroll, income, sales, services, gross receipts tax, more borrowing, unsustainable spending, unpaid bills and structural deficit.

Resident Diana Camp of Antioch, a democrat, said she had been to two other town hall meetings but found this one particularly negative towards democrats.

"I felt very abashed here," Camp said.

Cole and Osmond expect the state government news for 2009 not to be much better. Revenue is estimated to be $450 million while spending pressures for education, human services, insurance, labor contracts, pensions and Medicaid total $2.2 billion.

They said the republican agenda includes a "statewide program of at least $10 billion of capital investment in Illinois' infrastructure, including schools, roads, higher education, mass transit and public safety."

Tax relief measures were proposed but funding mechanisms were not explained.

Audience members asked various questions or gave comments for about an hour.

Bill Holland of Lake Villa asked if the representatives would favor the tax swap proposals designed to reduce the reliance on property taxes for schools.

He said he favored "a combination of property tax relief and income tax increase. Our system makes no sense. Our tax structure is crazy."

Osmond and Cole, however, both said they had problems with House Bill 750 and Senate Bill 2288, which are two names for the same plan which propose a tax swap.

"That would only benefit Cook County," Cole said. "It would take money away from Lake County."

Holland persisted about wanting some revision to the tax structure.

"What about going to a graduated income tax like they have in other states, instead of a flat income tax like we have in Illinois?" Holland asked.

Cole said that had been studied but the cutoff levels for the higher taxes were problematic and that the idea was not good for business.

Jay Sabatino, superintendent of Community High School District 117, said he strongly favored the capital spending bill to pay for infrastructure improvements at schools and throughout the state.

"The bigger picture is how to help the entire infrastructure, along with the schools," Sabatino said.

Cole agreed, but said the funding for the capital projects was currently tied to expansion of gambling.

"Do you support four more casinos in Illinois?" she asked.

"Gambling is a risk," Sabatino answered.

Osmond said she does not support more casinos.

"Do I support more casinos? No," she said. "I've been fighting the Kenosha casino proposal for three years. No one studied what problems that would cause in our towns. I don't feel gaming is the answer to our problems."

Osmond and Cole criticized the governor for using money appropriated for programs such as road improvements to fund other items such as health care.

Osmond said some positive bills have been blocked by democratic leaders. She told how she tried to get a bill passed for Iraq service men and women could receive a 50 percent reduction in property taxes if they settled in Illinois when they returned.

"The bill had bi-partisan support but it was never called," Osmond said . "It never saw the light of day. It's very frustrating when you try to do something positive and are blocked."

Some audience members asked about universal health care, which Osmond said there is no funding for.

"I don't believe in universal health care," said Sylvia Abercrombie of Round Lake Beach. "I think everybody should have it, but they should pay for it themselves."