Dear Governor Quinn,

As the election nears, we here at WBEZ want to make clear to voters where you stand on the
most important issues that face the State of Illinois. Think of it as voters study guide as they
head to the polls.

Please give us an answer, in your own words, to each of the following six questions, for a story
were airing next week. Even though some of these issues have come up before, we are looking
for your firm statement, at this point in the campaign, to these questions. The deadline to return
this state policy questionnaire is Monday, October 27th, by 5 p.m.

If we dont hear back from you, well add a line in our story indicating that you didnt respond to
our questionnaire. Well also be sending this exact questionnaire to your opponent.

Thanks so much in advance!
Sincerely,
Lauren Chooljian
WBEZ Reporter

1. Whats the right income tax rate for Illinois, and how do we get there?

Properly funding public schools is critical to our economic competitiveness, and thats
why Ive proposed a balanced budget plan that includes the largest investment in the classroom
in Illinois history. This honest, responsible plan will continue paying down our bills; avoid
radical cuts to education, public safety and human services; prevent property tax increases and
provide additional property tax relief; and maintain the states income tax rate where it is today
(which is the 9th lowest in the nation). All three credit ratings agencies voiced support for my
budget plan, which provides long-term stability to our finances. I believe the property tax is the
most unfair tax, and thats why we must work to reduce the property tax burden while properly
funding our public schools, which will strengthen our economy.
Were in the position to make this historic investment in the classroom because of the
hard work weve done over the past five years to tackle our budget challenges.
We have dramatically improved the states finances and economic standing by taking
tough, responsible steps to restore stability to Illinois, including cutting spending by more than
$5 billion; enacting pension reform for Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees to save hundreds of billions
of dollars for the state; overhauling the Medicaid program and cutting Medicaid spending by
more than $3 billion; enacting workers compensation and unemployment insurance reforms;
implementing numerous efficiencies and consolidations such as reducing office space by 2.4
million square feet, selling state planes and cutting state employee parking spaces; and raising
revenue in 2011. These steps have allowed us to pay down the backlog of bills by $6 billion and
today we are closer than ever to a timely 30-day bill cycle. Were leading the Midwest in job
creation and more people are working today than when I took office.
My opponent has proposed a tax plan that will blow an $8 billion hole in the budget that
will slash funding for public schools by at least $4 billion. His budget doesnt add up.
Meanwhile, he has proposed taxing consumption which includes things like food and medicine
and everyday services like garbage pickup that will transfer the tax burden to working families.
My opponents plan is the wrong way to go, its regressive and it doesnt add up.

2. Would you lift limits on the number of charter schools in Illinois?

First and foremost, we must always consider the best interests of our students. I believe in
excellent schools and educational opportunities for all students in all communities. To that end,
given the lack of evidence that students in charter school perform better than those in
neighborhood schools, I do not support lifting the limits on the number of charter schools. I
believe before moving forward with authorizing more charters its important to complete an
impact study of how charter school policy has impacted the district as a whole.
All schools should be accountable and transparent in the way they operate. To heighten
accountability, we implemented a new report card for all schools that empowers parents by
giving them information about the performance of their childrens schools. Our report card has
been recognized nationally as one of the best in the country, and helps parents to become more
engaged in their childs education. Education reform that I supported and signed into law has
also been a model for the nation and improved the quality of education in our classrooms.

3. What should the State of Illinois pay per child for public education?

My five-year blueprint for Illinois includes raising state investment in the classroom to its
highest point in Illinois history, helping modernize classrooms across the state to ensure every
student attends a first-rate school and teachers have the resources they need. This pan will allow
us to fund the foundations level up to at least 100% over the next five years. My plan also
includes doubling MAP scholarship grant funding to make sure deserving students in need can
attend college; expanding dual enrollment and early college programs; and my Birth to Five
Initiative, which is a game-changing investment to expand access to prenatal care, early care and
learning opportunities for every child, and strong parent support.
Were in the position to make this historic investment in education because of the hard
work weve done over the past five years to get our finances in order.
My opponent has proposed a budget that will slash funding for our classrooms. His
budget plan, once fully implemented, would create an $8 billion hole in the state budget, of
which, at current funding levels, would mean that K-12 education would absorb about $4 billion
in cuts. Under this plan, at least one 1 of every 6 teachers would be laid off; class sizes will
increase; art, music and physical education classes will be cut, and property taxes would rise just
to keep school doors open. You cant have excellent schools without properly funding them, and
this would take Illinois in the wrong direction.

4. Would you raise the minimum wage? If so, what amount would you push for it to
be? And when?

Yes, I am currently fighting to raise the states minimum wage to at least $10 an hour to
help Illinois workers and working families. This issue is about dignity and decency nobody
should work 40 hours a week and live in poverty.
Raising the minimum wage in Illinois is part of my commitment to drive economic
growth, alleviate poverty and ensure all workers are treated fairly. By increasing the
Illinois minimum wage to $10 an hour, a half-million Illinois consumers will make an extra
$4,800 a year and much of that extra income will be spent at local businesses on food, clothing
and furniture, providing a strong boost to the local economy.
Nearly two-thirds of small-business owners support raising the federal minimum wage
because they believe it will help the economy and, in turn, enable them to hire more workers,
according to a poll conducted by the Small Business Majority. Leaders from large companies
such as Gap, Costco, Starbucks and Stride Rite also have supported increasing
the minimum wage as a way to reduce employee turnover and improve workers productivity.
The Illinois minimum wage ($8.25) is less than half of the average U.S. hourly wage. A
full-time minimum wage worker in Illinois makes approximately $17,000 annually, which is
well below the Federal Poverty Threshold of $19,790 for a family of three.
In contrast, my opponent has made it very clear that he does not support raising the
minimum wage. In fact, he has admitted this year that he supports completely eliminating the
minimum wage, has advocated to lower the minimum wage and has said he is adamantly,
adamantly against raising the minimum wage. This is extreme and does not reflect the values of
Illinois. Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do for our workers and our state.

5. Whats the BEST way out of the states pension mess?

I signed into law pension reform for new employees that is saving the state hundreds of
billions of dollars. I also suspended legislators paychecks and my own, in order to enact
comprehensive pension reform that Moodys credit rating agency said could be the most
significant pension reform in the nation. The comprehensive pension reform I fought for a signed
into law will eliminate our unfunded pension liability and stabilize our pension system.
My opponent has proposed privatizing our pension system, which would cost the state
billions of dollars and wreck employees retirement security.

6. Which job sector would you focus on first for growing jobs?

We have more work to do, but Illinois economy is making a comeback. Today, Illinois is
leading the Midwest in job creation. Our unemployment rate has reached the lowest point in
more than six years, and more people are working than when I took office.
Contrary to a Republican misinformation campaign, Illinois is one of the best states in the
country for attracting new businesses and helping existing businesses expand. According to Site
Selection Magazine, Illinois ranks third in the country for corporate expansions and locations and
we lead the Midwest in business creation more than 39,000 more businesses are registered in
Illinois today than in 2009.
One of the great advantages of Illinois is the states diverse economy, and continuing to
growing the economy requires a focus on multiple sectors. My administration has identified
high-potential, high-growth sectors that have the ability to make an outsized impact on the states
economy. We will drive innovation by building research and technology hubs in sectors such as
Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy, and Information Technology.
In addition, we must continue to invest in the fundamentals that drive our economy - our
physical infrastructure and our people. We are a world-leading, transportation hub and we have a
workforce second to none, but to continue to lead, we must continue to invest. We must help to
train the generation of manufacturers through investment in education and workforce training
programs. Through these efforts, we will ensure that over the next four years Illinois moves from
stabilization to revitalization. And companies will continue to locate and expand in our state
based on the fundamental value proposition that we offer a talented workforce, world class
transportation, full access to the North American market, and a culture of innovation.