For the 2018 November general election, the Northwest Herald sent out questionnaires to candidates running for office.

Those questionnaires from each candidate that responded are featured on our Election Central website for our readers to help you make informed decisions when you go to the polls.

The purpose is to help our readers to get know the candidates and where they stand on the important issues facing McHenry County this election. Click here to check out the rest of our questionnaires, videos and more for this election.

Name: Dan Ugaste

Age: 54

Hometown: Geneva

Office: State Representative

Incumbent: No

Party: Republican

District: 65

Occupation: Attorney

Employer: Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry – V.P. & Shareholder

Education: Lake Forest College  B.A. – 1985

DePaul University College of Law –  J.D.  1988

Elected Offices: None

Appointed Office: llinois Workers Comp Medical Fee Advisory Board Member (Past)

Technical Advisor to Governor’s Office on Workers Comp Reform

Website: www.ugasteforillinois.com

Civic Involvement: Former Jaycees Coach, GOYA volunteer, Parent Teacher Organization, Geneva Booster Club, volunteer Firefighter

Family: Wife Denise, 3 children, four grandchildren

Church: United Methodist Church of Geneva and St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church

1) Why are you the best person to represent the 65th District?

In addition to my experience in government and in the private sector, I will arrive in the legislature without hundreds of thousands of dollars in obligations from any person within my political party.  To date, Democrat Rich Johnson has accepted the following sums from Mike Madigan’s Illinois Democrat Party PAC and Madigan’s State Representative underlings:

$27,000 on July 9, 2018,

$23,844 on July 13, 2018

$20,912 on July 22, 2018

$20,412 on July 28, 2018

$20,412 on August 5, 2018

$20,412 on August 12, 2018

$20,412 on August 18, 2018

$64,910 on August 29, 2018

$20,412 on September 5, 2018

$16,000 on September 14, 2018

$71,828 on September 22, 2018

$43,418 on September 29, 2018

$30,712 on October 8, 2018

$80,000 on October 11, 2018

Madigan is attempting to take over Kane and McHenry counties with J.B. Pritzker’s money in one pocket and Rich Johnson in the other.

I am the best person to represent the 65th District because I will support legislation to lower taxes, reduce government spending, reduce government debt and streamline government operations to make it more efficient.

2) What are your top three legislative priorities?

Worker’s compensation reform, balancing the state budget, and finding a solution to the current government employee pension debt crisis.

3) How will you be effective in a state House of Representatives that is likely to remain under the control of Speaker Michael Madigan and the Democratic Party?

The minority opposition party is always in a position to make a difference by working with individual Democrat lawmakers on issues that affect their districts.  Not all Democrat lawmakers and districts are the same, and some Democrats from more conservative districts are willing to break from their party, especially on issues affecting job creation, business creation and increased revenue to the state coffers. I personally will be making sure that the excessive spending, taxing and borrowing that is driving state government to insolvency are addressed each time budget items are approved without corresponding supporting revenue.

4) Pension obligations consume a growing share of local, county and state government budgets, and the state has more than $100 billion in unfunded pension liability. What should the legislature do to address this problem?

I do not support changing any pension that has already been earned. I think we should amend the State Constitution to allow for an immediate change to benefits for current employees from the date of the amendment forward, and also a change to the compounded COLA benefit.  The alternative is inevitable insolvency. It should be noted that these financially unsustainable pension benefits were the result of a corrupt bargain between the Democratic Party legislative leaders who accepted million in campaign contributions from state employee labor unions with the understanding that state employee union contracts would be rubber stamped regardless of the cost or impact on the almost 13 million residents of our state.

5) Should the 32 percent income tax hike that took effect in 2017 be repealed? If so, how should the state levy income tax and at what rate?

The most recent income tax hike should be repealed. Personal and corporate income tax rates should be rolled back to 2016 levels.

6) Should marijuana be legalized for recreational use in Illinois? If so, how? If not, why not?

No.  Marijuana is an addictive mind altering drug that can be extremely harmful and detrimental to young people.  The state should not be condoning or endorsing it’s use through legalization.

7) How can lawmakers provide property tax relief for homeowners? How will you work to make this happen?

Rising property tax burdens are a huge problem.  There are a number of things the legislature could be doing to help reduce property taxes (including consolidation of units of government and stopping and reversing unfunded mandates).  I plan to work on both items.  If we cannot get our homeowners needed relief, as a last resort, I will propose a bill reducing the maximum amount of property taxes to a low percentage value of the home.

8) Who do you support in the race for Illinois governor, and how would you work with that person to help the 65th District?

I support Bruce Rauner and his economic policies and his government reduction policies.  I will be working diligently to promote his economic agenda to create new jobs revenue and business in Illinois.  I oppose J. B. Pritzker for Governor and Mike Madigan for Speaker primarily because they have already committed to increasing the income tax burden on Illinois residents through a graduated income tax rate system.

9) Illinois is among the nation's top exporters of college students. How can the legislature help to make in-state universities more affordable and competitive?

We can fund them and student grants at the levels needs to for each to accomplish their goals.  Some students are afraid to attend Illinois universities at this point because they do not know if state grants will be available from year to year.