Meet Tim Butler, Republican 95th District candidate for Illinois House
Tim Butler is a Republican running for Illinois House 95th District. Here's what to know about him:
Born: March 24, 1967
Family: Married to Wendy since 1996 (26 years in June). Have lived in Springfield since 1998. Youngest of seven children of Harriet and Tom Butler, who owned a small manufacturing business in Peoria.
Education: BA Political Science, Eastern Illinois University, 1990; Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute (high school – Peoria); St. Thomas Grade School (Peoria Heights)
Current Occupation: Illinois State Representative, 87th House District
Professional Experience: U.S. House staff for Congressman Rodney Davis and Congressman Ray LaHood; Director of Marketing for St. John's Hospital; State Representative
Health care costs continue to soar. What proposals do you have to address the escalating costs of health care including prescription drugs?
I have voted for legislation to provide relief to families and reduce the cost of prescription drugs such as insulin to help with the rising cost of health care. However, the legislature has been, rightly, cautious to wade into policies enacting prescription price control or capping maximum costs. Manufacturers have made it clear these actions can stymie innovation and prevent more effective prescriptions being brought to market.
We need to do more to ensure that people can afford the prescriptions they need and work with manufacturers in encouraging and incentivizing rebate programs to assist those who cannot afford needed prescriptions. We also need to make sure we have a competitive environment in Illinois with both providers and insurers, which in turn will help reduce the cost of healthcare to the public.
Toxic political polarization has permeated the landscape. How will you work to heal the divide?
I am someone who believes in collaboration and respect, especially among our elected officials.
I believe you also need to think before you speak. As a public official, I believe you must
understand how you behave in public, as well as how you conduct your personal life really matters in these positions.
As a Member of the General Assembly, I reflect the common-sense conservative values of our Central Illinois region, but I also believe to be effective I need to work with people across our State and across the political spectrum. Just because someone holds a different philosophical viewpoint does not mean they are your enemy, or that you can’t work with them. To advance policy goals, especially on large and complex issues, it takes listening and working with all sides to get to a point where something can move forward.
Illinois has been ranked as the least tax-friendly state for the middle class in the nation. Beyond the tax relief passed in the most recent budget, how will you try and help ease the burden on taxpayers?
We need real, permanent tax relief; that is one of the main reasons I fought against Governor Pritzker’s progressive tax increase.
The legislature should reduce income and business taxes as well as eliminate the sales tax on motor fuel.
We should hold local government officials accountable for reducing our onerous property taxes. On our tax bill, only one of the 11 local governments reduced their rate this year: Capital Township; a local government which I have championed as leading the way for government consolidation and reducing taxes. We need to do much more to reduce the over 8,000 governmental units in this state which in turn will cut property taxes.
Finally, we need to grow our economy through job creation; the top way we can increase revenue and reduce taxes.
Contact Zach Roth: (217) 899-4338; ZDRoth@gannett.com; @ZacharyRoth13
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois primary elections: Tim Butler, 95th House District candidate
