Two Rockford area candidates want to represent Illinois House 90th district

State Rep. Tom Demmer, whose term is up Jan. 11, is vacating his House seat in a bid to become Illinois Treasurer. His departure paves the way for two Rockford area republicans, John Cabello, a former state representative; and Mark Szula, Roscoe village president, to challenge each other to represent residents in Illinois' 90th District.

The re-drawn northern Illinois district stretches from the Freeport region to the Rockford region to include South Beloit, Roscoe, Rockton and Machesney Park.

Cabello and Szula, who will face each other in the June 28 primary, were asked to share their thoughts on healthcare, taxes and crime. Here are their responses.

Name: John Cabello

Age: 50

City of residence: Machesney Park

Education: Did not answer

Work experience: Did not answer

Political experience: Harlem Township Trustee, Winnebago County Board Member, Co-Chair Trump for Illinois and State Representative

Organizations and memberships: Did not answer

Family: Did not answer

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Healthcare costs continue to soar. What proposals do you have to address the escalating costs of healthcare including prescription drugs?

I support a more free market approach to medicine that gives the marketplace a chance to weigh in on pricing. The third-party payer system has contributed to the increased costs of healthcare. The expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare has distorted the market and contributed to higher costs. I would also support tort reform that would cap judgements in lawsuits directed at the healthcare industry and others that drives up the cost of liability insurance as those costs are passed on to the consumer or the government program that is paying for it.

Our healthcare system has been gradually socialized, and it appears that those in power don’t want to take the necessary steps to undo the damage that has been done. It takes political courage to explain that the system that you have been given, in some cases for free, needs to be overhauled.

Illinois has been ranked as the least tax-friendly state for the middle class in the nation. How will you try and help ease the burden on taxpayers?

I have voted against the budgets that have contributed to an ever expanding state government. I have voted against the tax increases that have never been used to reduce debt or pay our bills and instead have been used to increase spending. Illinois has to engage in a two-tiered plan that includes a serious cut in spending as well as a reduction in taxes that will help with economic development and growth in our state.

Taxes and bad governance have pushed people and businesses to leave our state and that has hurt our bottom-line. Regulations and mandates that have been (passed) down from the state need to be repealed or at least reviewed. There should be a cost benefit analysis applied to all of these laws and regulations.

Violent crime continues to plague Rockford and the state as a whole. What legislation will you introduce or support to combat violent crimes?

I would introduce legislation to repeal the Safe-T Act that was passed last year in a lame duck session of the state legislature. That bill was never provided a full examination of the affects it would have on law enforcement and crime in general. It has many provisions that outright favor criminals like no cash bail. That means that for many crimes the perpetrators will be able to be back on the street the same or next day.

Fighting crime involves prevention of crime, which can be a project for all of our citizens. Don’t leave your car or house unlocked, don’t leave fence gates open, don’t leave your garage open, be careful where and when you go for a walk, are common sense steps that we should all be taking. We also need to work together as a community to make sure that crimes are reported and that our criminal justice system follows through.

Name: Mark Szula

Age: 60

City of residence: Roscoe

Education: High school degree

Work Experience: Marine Corps Veteran, heavy equipment operator for IUOE Local 150

Political Experience: President of the Village of Roscoe

Organizations and Memberships: Member of IUOE Local 150, lifetime member of the VFW

Family:  2 children, 4 grandchildren

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Healthcare costs continue to soar. What proposals do you have to address the escalating costs of healthcare including prescription drugs?

As healthcare costs climb, major stress is put on many families in the 90th district. The issue with healthcare in Illinois is the lack of competition between insurers and inefficiencies among providers. This rise in cost has created a serious gap in care for the citizens of Illinois. We need to create an environment that attracts new providers and will drive costs down like good competition always does.

Illinois has been ranked as the least tax-friendly state for the middle class in the nation. How will you try and help ease the burden on taxpayers?

People in Illinois who work for a living and own their homes shoulder the burden for the state's budget that gives money to people not paying into the system. As state representative, I would introduce legislation that would bring property tax relief to long-time Illinois residents by allowing them to deduct what they pay in property taxes from their state income tax. We also need to ensure that spending in Illinois is efficient and effective when delivering services to the citizens of Illinois.

Violent crime continues to plague Rockford and the state as a whole. What legislation will you introduce or support to combat violent crimes?

First, we need to fully fund our police departments, full stop. As state rep., I will stand against people trying to demonize and defund our police. Increasing funding and training for police will make our communities safer. Second, we need to give hope and opportunity to all of our youth, not just the ones going to college. That is why I support job training for the trades in middle school and high schools. Good paying jobs make a community better and safer for everyone.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford area republicans vying for Illinois 90th District House seat