46th District State Senate Candidates: Illinois Economy

In the race for the 46th district State Senate seat, Republican Pat Sullivan is facing Democrat incumbent Dave Koehler.

Our question: We've all heard about Illinois' dire financial situation.

What do you think has contributed to the state's current fiscal situation?

What would you do to help the state's recovery?

Dave Koehler:

  One we're going to see from the federal level is that there are going to be programs to help farmers in different categories because this can have a very negative effect on our whole economy. I think already we're seeing the effects of the drought. Ethanol plants are shutting down. Our ethanol plant in Pekin is operating at very small capacity. We should not be burning corn in our gas tanks if we can't afford to feed our livestock and can't afford to use the corn as a food source.

Pat Sullivan:

  It is a tough situation. The farmers are strong and most farmers have done well for themselves and work hard. I think everyone can tell a farm state that they worked on the farm; hardest working people ever. But they'll come out of it. If the state can help them, great. If the federal government can help them, great.

  But they're strong working people. They're not looking for handouts, I do know that. They're very good people and we need to help them as much as we can. They're our food source for the world.