Campaign Info

• Position sought: State Representative, 81st District
• Website: www.electboyle.com
• Email: Debbie@electboyle.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-Boyle/186856411420266
• Twitter: @electboyle
• Address: P.O. Box 5645, Woodridge, IL 60517

Personal Info 

• Birthday: May 9, 1963
• Family: Husband, Bryan, and three children
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Occupation: Registered Nurse; Clinical Manager/Coordinator at Loyola Univeristy
• Political Party: Republican Party
• Official name of campaign committee: Friends for Debbie Boyle
• Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Currently Vice President of the CSD99 Board of Education

Candidate Questions

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

I have extensive managerial experience due to my position as a Clinical Manager/Coordinator. Additionally, I worked hard to earn my place on the School Board, losing my first election in a very close race. So I ran again, and the second time, I won. I believe this shows me to be a fighter – the kind of fighter that will go to Springfield and fight for the working class families and small businesses in the 81st district that I seek to represent.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

First, we must repeal the destructive tax hike that has cost our state 60,000 jobs. We are tied with New Jersey for the most number of people leaving the state, and if we continue down this path, we will surpass them. We need to be a state that attracts families and businesses, not detracts.

Second, I would address our Medicaid problem. Medicaid is the largest general fund expenditure. Medicaid costs are growing at an annual rate we cannot finance. We need to do a re-determination of Medicaid rolls to remove the ineligible, rethink eligibility requirements, and restructure the system to better connect Medicaid recipients to service providers to ensure those for whom the program was intended to serve are served with high quality care while making the program more cost-effective.

Last, but certainly not least, is pension reform. Pension reform is crucial to Illinois’ economic recovery. We have unfunded pension and health care liabilities moving upward of $100 billion. The reason so many state workers are resistant to pension reform is because they believe that the state is obligated to keep their promises. I believe that to. We need to provide the benefits to those workers that they have earned and were promised. But we need to implement some changes in the system moving forward that we can afford and that is fair and honest.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

On the face, my opponent and I seem to hold a lot of the same positions on conservative issues. But there really are some stark contrasts…

For example, I support the death penalty; I oppose the DREAM Act; I oppose what we know as the “Amazon Tax” – which is the tax on internet sales; and I oppose the Smart Grid. My opponent, on the other hand, has voted against the death penalty and in favor of the DREAM Act, the Smart Grid, and Amazon Tax.

When the 81st district was created, my opponent made an agreement with other Republicans in the General Assembly that if he chose not to run for re-election in the Senate, they would clear the field for him in the 81st. But they all forgot that this State Rep seat is not theirs to give as they see fit. No one is entitled to it. And I am committed to fighting against “2-sets of rules” mentality. I believe that everyone should be held accountable to the same standard and the same set of rules – regardless of their position or political connections.

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

Large companies that are our biggest employers look to find ways to lower the cost of doing business here in Illinois. It’s important that we foster an environment that appeal to these major employers and the jobs they provide, while also encouraging entrepreneurial enterprises and the jobs they create. I support repealing personal and corporate income tax increases passed last January, which will encourage equality under the law.

When we are able to draw businesses and jobs to Illinois and foster an environment of entrepreneurship, we begin to draw more revenue based on rising incomes and the increased number of incomes. The Illinois Policy Institute estimated that Illinois has lost one taxpayer every 10 minutes for the past 15 years costing the state some $26 billion in revenue.

What can be done to help College Illinois?

I've had friends that used this program successfully to help finance their children's college educations. When I talked with them about their experiences they all thought they were enrolling in a state backed, state approved program. When we sat down and went back through the materials it was evident that impression was made, there was nothing specifically linking the state to this program. My heart goes out to my friends, and to anyone who has lost money on this venture. Given the states current grim fiscal condition, and our lack of funds for basic needs, I cannot support providing a bailout for College Illinois. Should we be successful in repairing our budget, we can revisit this at a future date uncertain.

What should the government do to create more jobs?

There is much we can do in terms of taxing and spending and other policy changes to improve Illinois’ economy that will help create more jobs. I will support the repeal of the personal and corporate income tax hikes that were passed last year. At the current tax rates, we cannot compete with other states, let alone other countries, for jobs. I believe the Sears layoffs and Caterpillar’s refusal to build their new plant here perfectly illustrates my point.

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

I believe marriage should be defined as the union between one man and one woman. Illinois’ Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as is currently written should continue to be the law in Illinois.
I believe life begins at conception, but we also know that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, so passing a law in Illinois would not serve to accomplish anything. However, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan should enforce the Parental Notification Law that an overwhelming majority of Illinois legislators passed, and which she has failed to enforce.

Illinois is the only state in the union that does not offer some form of conceal & carry law for law abiding citizens. I believe it’stime for Illinois to join the other 49 states in providing its residents a means of self-protection. Trained and licensed residents should enjoy the right to carry in light of the Heller & McDonald decision and fact that every other state enjoys this freedom.

I believe the death penalty should be reinstated and be at the discretion of prosecutors, judges and juries.

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? While a Chicago Casino for tourist and convention trade makes sense, expanding gambling across the state, and across multiple formats doesn't. I understand the entertainment aspects of gambling, but am concerned about the invitation to abuse that expanded gambling entails.
What do you suggest for property tax relief? One thing to do immediately is to freeze property taxes in communities that have seen the assessed valuation of its property decline in other communities, seniors on Social Security and/or fixed incomes should have any property tax increases indexed accordingly. There is fiscal efficiency in keeping them in their homes as taxpayers. There should no longer be any property tax rebates offered for any reason-here again it just distorts the playing field as various levels of government try to use it as incentives.

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

Government has become too big – even at the local level. As with school districts, there are many cases where we can effectively and successfully consolidate resources such as libraries and fire protection.
The Illinois Constitution allows for structural change in local government such as the elimination of a township or consolidation ofa school district, but this is a conversation, and decision, that should happen at the local level and should be made based on theneeds of each community.

Should the state legalize marijuana?

No. We need to do more to support social service providers who treat addiction and move non-violent drug offenders into addiction treatment programs to end the cycle of drug abuse and save the state money otherwise spent on the futility of repetitive incarceration.
Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program? I will vote to abolish legislative scholarships all together. This has become nothing more than a perk for legislators to curry favor with certain groups and individuals, or reward the children of the politically connected at the expense of hard-working, low- to middle-income families that can’t afford skyrocketing tuition costs.

Who are your political heroes and why?

I have several political heroes but Ronald Reagan stands at the top. He was elected at a time when our country was in crisis. Weak leadership, seemingly invincible enemies, uncertainty, and worry about what the future would bring, had us at the point of angry despair. Into that void President Reagan strode with a resolute and positive message that America was one and America was the greatest country on earth. He called our enemies out for what they were, and won the Cold War. His economic policies kick started the job producing private sector by lowering tax rates and reducing unnecessary regulation. His monetary policies reduced inflation. He was not afraid to lay the blame for big government directly on big government itself, and his good humor bolstered us all when, as a nation, we needed it most.

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

No.