Campaign info

• Position sought: State Representative – 52^nd District

• E-mail address: info@davidmcsweeney.com
• Phone: 847-387-8193
• Address: P.O. Box 3701 Barrington, IL 60011

Personal info

• Age and Birthdate: 46 (10/1/65) 

• Family: Married to Margaret with two daughters, Melissa(18) and Katie (16).

• Education: Master of Business Administration Degree, Duke Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Bachelor's Degree, Economics Major 

• Occupation: Financial Consultant

• Political Party: Republican 

• Official name of your campaign committee: David McSweeney for State Representative 

• Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Village of Inverness Plan Commission, Palatine Township Collector and Palatine Township Trustee 

• Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position? My business experience and ability to work through difficult issues make me the most qualified candidate for State Representative in the 52nd District.

 

Candidate Questions

 
What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

1) My primary focus is to repeal the tax increases that were enacted last year. The tax increases are killing jobs.

2) I support the bipartisan property tax relief bill (HR 3793) that would prohibit property tax levy increases when property values decline.

3) State spending must be cut. The state will soon have approximately $8.3 billion of unpaid bills and an $83 billion unfunded pension liability.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

When I walk door to door one of the main issues that people are concerned about is jobs, taxes and the financial stability of the state. As a businessman, I am uniquely qualified to address these issues. 
I raised capital for businesses and understand the principles of bottom line budgeting and the needs of business to be successful and create jobs.

The business climate in Illinois and the policies of state government have hurt businesses. Businesses will not expand or locate here in Illinois as long as this climate exists.

What should first be done by the state to keep businesses that have strongly voiced the possibility of leaving, such as CME and Sears?

I believe that the 2011 tax increases should be repealed and pension reform should be enacted. Lower taxes and greater stability in the state pension system would create incentives for companies to remain in Illinois and create jobs. 

Burdensome regulations should be eliminated so that businesses can focus on creating new jobs. A cost-benefit analysis should be required for every new regulation. 

Small businesses don’t have high paid lobbyists in Springfield, but they’re creating approximately 80% of the jobs in this state. 

The government shouldn’t pick winners and losers. Instead, personal and corporate taxes should be cut across-the board, regulations should be reduced and state spending should be controlled.

What can be done to help College Illinois?

Before making any detailed recommendations, an analysis of the funding problems with the program needs to be completed.

What should the government do to create more jobs?

• Immediately repeal the job killing tax increases passed by the legislature last year;

• Exempt 20% of small business income from taxes;

• Reduce taxes for companies that create jobs, including small businesses; and

We should review all state mandated regulations and fees on businesses to ascertain the impact they have on job creation and the overall business climate. 

A simple cost/benefit analysis is a solid private sector best practice and there is no reason the same analysis should not be applied to government. The Legislature should have to approve any new regulations that are projected to impose costs greater than $10 million per year

What are your philosophies on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion, and what should be government’s role in those issues? 

I believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. I am pro-life. I support exceptions for reported cases of rape and incest and to save the life of the mother.

Do you support a gaming bill that would increase the number of casinos or other gambling venues in Illinois? Should a casino be built in Chicago?

I am opposed to large-scale expansion of gambling in Illinois.

What do you suggest for property tax relief?

I would support State Representative Jack Franks legislation (HR 3793) that places a cap on property tax levies when assessments go down. Senior Citizens on fixed incomes and families should not have their property taxes raised while the value of their homes decreases.

Should the state consider consolidating school districts? What would be the best way to accomplish this in your legislative district?

Inefficiency in bureaucracy should not create insufficiency in the classroom. Illinois should ensure that at least 65 cents of every educational tax dollar is spent in the classroom teaching children.

Should the state legalize marijuana?

No

Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program?
I would support elimination of the legislative scholarship program.

Who are your political heroes and why?

My political hero is Ronald Reagan; The Great Communicator. President Reagan had a unique ability in politics to stand by his conservative principles and communicate in a way that was not divisive. 

Too often those who are committed to their principles forget that people may not agree with everything they have to say. However, it is important to keep a dialogue going so that problems can be solved. 
I will take President Reagan’s example with me to the legislature and try to work on solutions with other legislators who may not agree with me.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, sued successfully or had a restraining order placed against you? If so, please explain.

No