Campaign info

• Position sought: Illinois Senate 25th District
• Political Party: Republican       
• Website: www.slocumforsenate.com
• Email: rick@slocumforsenate.com
• Phone: (630) 638-1615 
• Address: P.O Box 1128 Sugar Grove, IL 60554

Personal info

• Age and Birthdate: 61  12/29/50        

• Family: Wife--Cynthia Slocum, a school social worker in the Geneva, IL School District3 children:  Meredith, John and Julia (all adults)My daughter, Meredith, is a graduate of Indiana University.  She works for an insurance company in Chicago.My son, John, is a graduate of the University of Wisonsin--Madison and The John Marshall Law School.  He works for the House Republican Staff.My daughter, Julia, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin--Madison.  She is currently attending graduate school for school psychology at Indiana State University.       

• Education: B.A. in Political Science from Western Illinois University (1973)J.D. degree from Drake University Law School (1976)Master of Laws degree (Taxation) from The John Marshall Law School (1984)
• Occupation: Attorney       
• Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: West Aurora School District 129--16 years, 4 years as Board President and 4 years as Board Vice President United Way of the Aurora, IL area--multiple years as Allocation Chairman        

Candidate questions

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position? I have been a managing partner in my law firm for over 30 years.  We employ approximately 20 people.  I have been involved in all aspects of the management of the business, including administration of a retirement program, group medical insurance, site acquisition and relocation, and hiring of professional and other staff.       

What would your priorities be if elected to this office? There must be substantial reform in the income and corporate taxes imposed by the state.  We must make taxes and government fees more manageable and predictable for citizens and businesses.  The personal income tax rate and corporate tax rate must be reduced.  

There must be reform of the public pension systems in the state.  We must consider changing the benefits provided, the amounts paid in by participants, and possible retirement age changes.

The Medicaid system must be changed before it consumes the entire state budget.  The benefits of managed care have to be considered immediately. Overall, there must be a reduction in state expenditures.  

What sets you apart from the other candidates? My experience in operating and managing my own business, along with my public service of 16 years on the West Aurora School Board, makes me the best candidate.  My experience and skills developed over 35 years of representing thousands of clients are unmatched by the other candidates.  

My skills in bringing different groups together to collaberate with the West Aurora School District substantiate that I can be successful in reaching consensus among diverse groups and their interests.  I have been successful in facilitating joint efforts between the school district and universities, park districts and municipalities.  

Neither of the other candidates have any type of experience that compares to mine--in both the public and private sectors.

Official name of your campaign committee: Slocum For Senate  

What should first be done by the state to keep businesses that have strongly voiced the possibility of leaving, such as CME and Sears? Uniform tax relief for all businesses, irrespective of their size.  Businesses need predictable tax policy.  If a business is going to invest in Illinois, it needs to know the tax policy will be uniform and consistent for many years into the future. Such items as research and development credits and enterprise zones need to be encouraged and made uniform into the predictable future.

What can be done to help College Illinois? Reforms must be made to ensure citizens do not lose college savings through high risk investment strategies.  Investment parameters should be implemented to ensure that the principal amount deposited is not lost.  Bank trust department investment strategies can be considered as a guideline for strategies to be used in this program.        

What should the government do to create more jobs? Reduce the corporate tax rate.  As I mentioned above, tax policy and the Revenue Code must be predictable.  They must apply to both large and small businesses.  

Government regulation and fees must be reduced to lessen the burden on small businesses, in particular.  Over the last 5 or 6 years, fees and regulations have increased to the point that they discourage business creation and growth.

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 is an institution between a man and a woman. I am pro life. Government involvement in these issues must be minimized.        

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? It appears that the addition of the casino in Northwest Chicagoland has taken revenues from the casinos in Elgin and Aurora.  There is a saturation point where adding additional gambling stations will merely take from the existing casinos. In addition, adding additional gambling facilities often preys on our most vulnerable segment of the population.

Before considering any additional casinos, there must be a reduction in expenditures, as well as pension and Medicaid reform.       

What do you suggest for property tax relief? The state must step up to provide funding of education pursuant to its constitutional mandate.  Property tax relief must be part and parcel of the state assuming its constitutional mandate to fund schools.        

Should the state consider consolidating school districts? What would be the best way to accomplish this in your legislative district? The power over, and the control of, education by local board members is a fundamental right that has to be recognized and protected.  However, there are efficiencies to be gained by removing duplication of staff and administrators in smaller districts.  

The individuals from the smaller districts should be brought together to discuss how consolidation can be implemented, while recognizing the input of districts that could be operated more efficiently if consolidated.  Bringing the people together from the various districts that should consider consolidation would be the first step in the process.

Should the state legalize marijuana? No.

Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program? I support the elimination of the program.  I have called for this program to be eliminated throughout the campaign.  The procedure for awarding the scholarships (however it is changed or modified) will always appear as favoring a small group that have a relationship of some kind with the legislator awarding the scholarships.        

Who are your political heroes and why? Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, Everett Dirksen.  All of these individuals displayed leadership during difficult times.  They made tough decisions without considering the impact on their political careers.  Men and women were willing to follow these individuals and support their decisions, even though they did not agree on every decision made by the leader.  This quality was essential to these individuals' successes.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, sued successfully or had a restraining order placed against you? If so, please explain. No