Race in 26th district focuses on job growth, pension reform
Bridget O’Shea boshea@pioneerlocal.com October 23, 2012 7:40PM
Dan Duffy
AMANDA HOWLAND
Party: Democrat
Lives: Lake Zurich
Family: Married for 19 years
Web site: www.amandafor senate.com/
Updated: November 25, 2012 11:25AM
The state senate race in the 26th district could heat up in the coming weeks, with job growth and pension reform emerging as the two significant issues leading up to Election Day.
Republican incumbent Dan Duffy first addressed the mounting pension issue while Democratic challenger Amanda Howland’s attention was focused on job growth.
“Pension reform is the No. 1 problem we have in Illinois,” Duffy said.
Howland said she knows lots of people in Illinois are out of work, and that is where she intends to focus her platform.
Howland said job growth needs to occur in small and large businesses. She said investing in construction and street repair could spur the local economy by creating new jobs. Another part of Howland’s jobs plan supports considerable investment in job training programs.
Howland, a former school administrator, said she’s also addressing the problems she’s seen within the retirement system.
“I think I have enough background to work with the unions,” she said. We need to get back to being civil and consider alternative ideas.”
Howland said she’s committed to cutting wasteful spending and getting rid of unnecessary programs.
Duffy also said job growth is a top priority in his campaign.
“I’m more interested in the next generation, not the next election,” he said, adding that he also wants to focus on keeping taxes low.
Duffy, who is completing his first term in Springfield, went on to criticize Gov. Pat Quinn for not implementing Medicaid reform.
“I look at it from the perspective of a small business owner,” he said. “You can’t spend what you don’t have.”
Duffy also highlighted his work in trying to eliminate red light cameras at intersections.
“It’s all about revenue,” he said. “The majority of tickets are from rights on red in places where rights on red are legal.”
