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Community Corner

Chapman is on the Ballot for the March Republican State Rep Primary filing over 800 signatures.

I have been the Mayor of Shorewood for over 13 years and have needed to work hand in hand with Springfield Legislators. At times it has been very frustrating to see how State Politics works. Some of the people who are mostly affected by the laws created are the one's sent to Springfield, ie State Workers and School Teachers along with Career Politicians. Although I certainly respect what they do for us I don't think they should be involved in trying to solve a crisis the State is in when any solution would affect them personally by way of pay and pension. This to me is a conflict of interest and should not be tolerated by all the tax payers of Illinois, including those groups, who also pay taxes.
As the Mayor I have had to sit by and watch as Springfield put Illinois into massive debt. In Shorewood our % of revenue needed for pensions is less than 9%. The State on the other hand is pushing 25% and going up every year. With businesses leaving and more people coming onto the retirement role we could easily see our pension load at the State level reach 30  or even 40% of revenues. For the long term good of the employees themselves (remember Detroit) and the State as a whole, this needs to stop!
Insanity is said to be when you do the same thing over and over and expect different results, let's not continue such nonsense. I have a proven track record of conservative government. We are able to run the Village business on 4.3 cents of every households property tax dollar and still supply superior service to our residents. A husband, a father and a grandfather I have a tremendous stake in a healthy Illinois. My ad will appear shortly in the Patch. There will be a link to my web site and facebook page. Please become informed about the candidates and who they are, and what they have invested. Please visit my sites to find out more about me and please ask questions. Thanks,  Rick Chapman


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