As reported by Alton Daily News…Madison County Board member Kathy Smith who is challenging State Representative Dan Beiser for his seat in Springfield this fall, thinks there are better ways to address the state’s pension problems than to add another dollar to the cost of a pack of cigarettes. She says Democrats have had control of the state for 15 years and if voters really want to see change, they’ll need to change the players in the game.

Quinn’s plan to restructure Medicaid includes a one dollar tax increase on cigarettes, which Republicans in both the state House and Senate disagree with.

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For more information about Kathy Smith’s meet and greet, click on the following link to view the invite.

Click here to view the Meet & Greet Invite

Nearly $1 million is paid out to legislators as a bonus in the Illinois House of Representatives for serving as chairman or minority spokesman of a House committee. Republican Illinois state representative candidate Kathy Smith wants to repeal the legislative bonus.

The Illinois House currently has 48 committees of which $10,326 is paid as a bonus to legislators serving as either chairman or minority spokesman of a committee. The annual part-time salary for an Illinois legislator is $67,836 – the fifth highest paid legislature in the country.

“Illinois legislators are already paid a part-time salary of $67,836 to represent their constituents in Springfield, a $10k bonus is absurd,” said Kathy Smith. “The duty of an Illinois legislator is to serve on committees and represent their constituents. As a current member of the Madison County board, I don’t expect nor do I receive a bonus for serving on a committee.” Read the rest of this entry »

City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently revealed his legislative proposal to require handgun owners to register and title their guns with the State of Illinois. The proposed law would include a $65 registration fee per handgun. Illinois State Representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon), 111th District State Representative Candidate Kathy Smith, and 113th District State Representative Candidate Melinda Hult oppose the city of Chicago’s handgun registration proposal.

“I’m not a fan of the City of Chicago telling us what to do regarding the 2nd Amendment,” said Rep. Kay. “I support the constitution and our right to bear arms. If the handgun registration bill comes up for a vote, I will oppose the legislation – it’s simply a right to privacy.”

Currently the City of Chicago requires all handgun owners to register their guns with the Chicago Police Department. The state of Illinois does not require handgun registration.

“The $65 handgun registration fee is another tax, even worse it’s a tax dictated by the City of Chicago,” said Kathy Smith. “This new law proposed by the Mayor of Chicago affects our right to privacy and makes government bigger. A proposal I do not support.” Read the rest of this entry »