46th District on Pension Reform

In the 46th District Congressional Race, Incumbent Democrat Dave Koehler is being challenged by Republican Pat Sullivan. We're asking both candidates a question regarding pension reform. Governor Quinn wants to shift some pension reform to local school districts. Would you support this measure and why?

Dave Koehler:
"If we reduce the pension burden at the state level and we bring our costs down on an annual basis then we need to make sure the money flow into the schools if we're going to do that. So I have not seen a proposal yet that really hits the mark in terms of this idea of shifting pension costs back to the schools.I was in several meetings with educators and superintendents from all parts of my district and when I raised the question about what if the state were to follow that with some funding and some money to help pay those costs and the first that came to mind was we don't trust the state. The state doesn't pay it's bill right now. So we've got a credibility gap and this is why."

Pat Sullivan:
"Absolutely not. That's just going to raise our taxes again. Our taxes were just raised a year and a half ago of 67% off the worker's back....our worker's back. My back. Your back. 67%. Businesses, high also 47%. We need to not shift that to the local school district. Let's let the state stand up and do what they're supposed to do. And to shift that is just going to raise up property taxes which are way too high now, even higher. So we absolutely have to make sure the state does what they're supposed to do.