From the Kirk Dillard camp:
(Chicago, IL) – Jobs, healthcare, education and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln highlighted Thursday’s debate among the Republican candidates for Illinois governor. The debate was sponsored by the Illinois State Republican Party and held in Chicago.
Senator Kirk Dillard championed his “Destination Economy” plan to attract new business to the state. “It will be the most ambitious job creation plan in state history,” he said, reminding the audience one out of every 10 Illinois workers is out of a job.
Dillard also suggested healthcare would be part of his budget reforms in Springfield if elected governor. “My first budget will have a bad dose of medicine for Medicaid,” said Dillard, talking about some of the places he will look for significant budget cuts. Other areas include the state pension system. “We need pension reform,” he said.
On Education, Dillard proposed increasing tuition tax credits to “meaningful amounts” for parents who send their children to private schools. He also said there should be no limits on the number of Charter schools, which operate without some of the restrictions as traditional public schools.
Asked to talk about a favorite story about Abraham Lincoln, Dillard noted that his wife Stephanie’s great-great grandfather was Illinois Governor Richard Oglesby, who nominated Lincoln for the Presidency and who helped design Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield. “We can learn a lot from Lincoln’s leadership and his record on race,” Dillard said.
The debate before an audience of supporters was seen at 15 GOP viewing parties across the state via satellite television and was to be broadcast on WLS Radio in Chicago at 7 p.m. Friday.
Senator Dillard is the only candidate to have experience in all three branches of government, and served as former Governor Jim Edgar’s first chief of staff.
Dillard for Governor campaign website: www.dillardforgovernor.com/.