3rd Congressional District Candidate: Mike Fricilone
Republican Mike Fricilone is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat. You can find Fricilone's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:
Fricilone is running U.S. House seat in the 3rd Congressional District.U.S. House
U.S. House - 3rd Congressional District
Mike Fricilone
Age (as of Election Day)
67
Town/City of Residence
Homer Glen
Office Sought
U.S. House
Party Affiliation
Republican
Family
Wife Barb of 42 years, 3 grown children, and 6 grandchildren
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Daughter is an event and communications coordinator for the Village of Homer Glen
Education
B.A. Knox College in Galesburg, IL
Occupation
Executive Director of Sales, Midwest Office Interiors
Campaign website
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
3rd Term on the Will County Board, Republican Leader
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is it the most pressing issue facing our district, but it is the most pressing issue in our nation today, and the world. So helping to recover from the pandemic is a top priority of mine for our community.
Specifically, we need to address the hemorrhaging of millions of jobs, the closing and bankruptcies of countless employers, and the civil unrest in our nation’s cities. These are big jobs and the solutions for them will not come from one political party, they will need to be bipartisan. I am the only candidate that has pledged to work on a bipartisan basis and the only candidate with solutions that are grounded in the values of the people of the 3rd Congressional District.
I support strong and continued action by the federal government to help our families and economy recover from the pandemic. I strongly support the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program. Now I hope both sides of the aisle can come together for the HEALS Act which will continue to move our country in the right direction economically. Plus, I believe we should continue to provide student loan forgiveness and direct stimulus paychecks to help invigorate our local economies. Never in our post- World War II modern history have so many people had to make so many sacrifices. I am confident in the American spirit of ingenuity and believe that this is a temporary, though devastating, set back to our lives and our economy.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?
When Dan Lipinski lost his Primary Election, we lost one of the most commonsense, bipartisan voices in Congress and replaced him with socialist Marie Newman. Marie Newman’s plans aren’t focused on the 3rd District, they are taken from the most extreme leftists in Washington. Her plans for healthcare, the environment, the economy, and every other issue are aligned with socialists Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—they certainly don’t reflect the mainstream and commonsense values of our community. When I am elected to represent you in Congress, I will join the same caucus that mainstream Congressman Dan Lipinski was part of, “The Problem Solvers Caucus,” because I will be a Congressman that actually takes action and solves problems.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
If I am honored to have your vote, I will bring mainstream, commonsense solutions to our nation’s capital that are aligned with the values of our 3rd District residents. When I go to cast my vote on legislation, my thought will be “does this make the lives of families and small businesses in our community better?” I will push forward legislation that lowers taxes, creates a better way of life for families and seniors, and improves the business climate of our district. I will ensure America stays energy independent while developing commonsense solutions to protect our environment. And I will address healthcare by improving services and lowering costs for all Americans.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have an extensive record as a local leader and public servant. As a Member of the Will County Board since 2012, I’ve run up a record of accomplishments for our community.
During my tenure as Finance Chairman, I cut tax rates 4 years in a row, cut waste in government, and reduced overtime throughout the county, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. While staying fiscally responsible, I oversaw the “Building Will County Financial Plan” to move Will County forward. The plan included a new public safety facility, 911 center, county courthouse, and county health center. I am known on the county board for pushing for the use of renewable clean energy in county facilities, with solar energy powering the new courthouse and soon other county facilities.
If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
Republicans and Democrats must come together in Washington and bring forward a comprehensive solution that keeps the best parts of Obamacare, like protections for pre-existing coverage, while driving down healthcare costs. Americans should be free to choose affordable insurance plans from anywhere in the country that meet the needs of their families. We must have increased insurance company competition which will lead to significant cost savings for 3rd District families.
Healthcare consumers must be allowed to see the actual costs of procedures before appointments. Healthcare is the only sector of our economy with a secret pricing scheme that makes people choose services without ever knowing the costs. When we let consumers see the prices of these services, they will be able to make better-informed choices for their families’ medical care while reducing their out-of-pocket costs. Doctors also pay incredibly high medical malpractice rates, especially in the 3rd District, due to opportunistic frivolous lawsuits against our doctors. By enacting real tort reform measures on a federal scale, we will lower costs for doctors, which will lead to lower healthcare for all Americans.
By implementing mainstream, commonsense solutions in our healthcare system, we can ensure that all Americans have access to high quality, affordable health care that protects pre-existing conditions and remains the envy of the rest of the world. Finally, we must stop outsourcing our over the counter and prescription drugs as well as medical equipment. We have learned during this COVID-19 pandemic that the United States can ill afford to be in debt to the Chinese and the Chinese Communist Party for life-saving drugs, medical devices, and personal protective equipment.
Why should voters trust you?
I understand the needs of our community because I have been part of it for over 55 years. I grew up in the Garfield Ridge community in the city and am a proud graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. After high school, I was extremely fortunate to receive scholarship money for academics and attended Knox College in Central Illinois. After college, I married my high school sweetheart and started a family that cherishes being part of our community.
I have been an active sports coach in our community, a 30-year member of St Bernard’s Parish, President and a charter member of the Lockport High School Charitable Foundation, and member of the Board of Directors for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center for the past 6 years. This community involvement is in addition to my career as a leader in business for the last 30 years.
What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
I’m very concerned about the direction both the Congress and the President have taken when it comes to our nation’s finances. Our national debt is disgraceful. While I am pleased the economy is doing well, I am disappointed that Congress hasn’t had the political strength to pull together to find places where we can cut spending.
I’m a fiscal conservative, so I support reducing the deficit. One trillion dollars is an absurd amount and hopefully in the future budgets steps can be taken to reduce this. The economy is growing strongly, and continued growth will help pour dollars into our tax system thus shrinking the deficit. Economic growth is our best way of getting us in the black. As an Illinois representative, I would be in favor of increasing the SALT tax deduction to reduce the burden on residents of high tax states. I am also in favor of closing tax loopholes that corporations exploit to pay zero taxes.
Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
No.
The best advice ever shared with me was …
Just like in my business career I was always told to be honest with your client and in politics your constituents. Folks know that I am always willing to listen and always happy to take action to resolve problems. We need problem solvers in Congress, and I am looking to take this approach to Washington while representing our district.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
The choice in this election is clear: If you want to improve our healthcare system, foster a thriving economy, and protect our environment, I am the candidate that will achieve these goals and protect our American way of life. If you want to at minimum double taxes on working families, socialize healthcare which will hurt our most vulnerable neighbors, and pursue an extreme environmental plan that destroys our economy, Marie Newman is your candidate.
This article originally appeared on the Oak Lawn Patch
