Illinois Governor

• Democrat Rod Blagojevich is the current governor of Illinois. Blagojevich’s education plan centers around the long-term lease of the Illinois lottery to a private company that his campaign estimated will generate about $10 billion, according to his Web site. The money would go directly and exclusively to Illinois schools. Blagojevich has also proposed the sale of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s loan portfolio to fund the MAP Plus program, which would provide $500 to middle class families with children in college.
• Republican candidate Judy Baar Topinka has served as state treasurer since 1994. Her education plan is based on putting Illinois’ 10th gaming license to use and building a land-based casino. According to her campaign Web site, she has promised to generate $8.2 billion for education, including $350 million in funding for public universities. In addition, it promises full funding for university employee pensions and tuition relief. Topinka has promised to keep “the three E’s,” education, economy and ethics reform, as her priorites in office.
• Rich Whitney is the Green party candidate for governor. According to his campaign Web site, he connects the lack of funding for higher education to the budget crisis facing Illinois. He has proposed changing the tax system that is now heavily reliant on property taxes to fund schools. Whitney supports tax reforms based on House Bill 750, increasing the state income tax from 3 to 5 percent to contribute to education funding. Whitney also supports the issues of the Green party, including universal health care and sustainable energy sources.

15th District in the U.S. House of Representatives

• Incumbent Tim Johnson is a Republican and currently resides in Urbana. He has served three terms as U.S. Congressman for the 15th District. If reelected, Johnson says he will remain “committed to opposing tax hikes, promoting fiscal responsibility and upholding conservative . values,” according to his campaign Web site. He would also like to focus on improving the agricultural economy. During an event at the Illini Union in October, Press Secretary Phil Bloomer said Johnson had worked on a number of pieces of legislation to aid students during his time in office. His voting record includes voting in favor of the College Access and Opportunity act of 2005 that increased the maximum Pell Grant to $6,000 and also extended the Pell Grant to a year-round program, according to Project Vote Smart.
• Dr. David Gill is the Democratic challenger in the 15th District Congressional race also ran for the seat in 2004, but lost to Johnson. He currently resides in Clinton, Ill., where he works as an emergency room physician. According to his campaign Web site, Gill believes Pell Grants, a form of student financial assistance, should continue to be funded by the federal government. He has also encouraged college students to take an interest in the country’s budget deficit because it will affect them in the future. Gill is a University alumnus.

52nd District State Senator

• Democratic candidate Mike Frerichs is a lifelong resident of Gifford, Ill., and has been the Champaign County Auditor since 2002. He has also served on the County Board. Frerichs advocates increased funding for higher education, reducing the need for tuition increases in the future and making college education more affordable. Frerichs believes that the State University Retirement System has been under-funded and neglected, and he will push for better management of the state pension systems.
• Republican candidate Judy Myers is a resident of Danville, Ill., and served as the 53rd district State Senator from 1997 until 2002. Myers said she is going to work to reverse cuts made to higher education by providing colleges with the funding they need. She believes that it is necessary to improve the state’s fiscal policy, so future taxpayers aren’t responsible for a large amount of debt. Myers also wants to improve the current economic conditions by bringing businesses to Illinois.
• Socialist Equality Party candidate Joe Parnarauskis is a resident of Westville, Ill., and is also a registered nurse. Parnarauskis supports the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, raising the living standards and supports embryonic stem cell research. In response to the recent rate increase proposal by AmerenIP, Parnarauskis believes that public utilities should not be controlled by corporate entities and should be placed under the control of the working people.

103rd District State Representative

• Democratic incumbent Naomi Jakobsson is a resident of Urbana, Ill., and has served on the Illinois General Assembly since 2002. Jakobsson wants to increase funding for the University and wants to introduce legislation that would lower the price of textbooks for students. As state representative, Jakobsson secured a $12 million increase for the University. She is also concerned about health care for local families and has pushed legislation to extend the electrical rate freeze.
• Republican candidate Rex Bradfield is a resident of Urbana, Ill., and is a land surveyor in Illinois and Indiana. Bradfield is concerned about tuition and pensions at the University. He wants to increase funding for higher education and find a solution to replace the funds for teacher pensions. Bradfield believes an extension to the electric rate suspension could hurt electrical utility companies in Illinois and feels that an increase should be phased over the next few years.
• Green Party candidate Tom Abram is a recent graduate from the University and says he understands the need for more funding in higher education. Abram supports House Bill HB0750, which would raise the income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent, providing a tax credit to those with an income below $47,000 and providing property tax relief. This will increase funding for schools while providing relief to those with high property taxes in proportion to their income. He also feels that the reforming the current energy use is important.