<em>Lindsay Parkhurst was elected as the state representative of the 79th District last fall and has been on the job for nearly a year. The freshman Republican lawmaker represents the vast majority of Kankakee County, as well as portions of surrounding counties. She recently sat down for a question and answer session with the Daily Journal representative Phil Angelo. Both Angelo's questions and Parkhurst's answers have been edited for space and continuity.</em>

<strong>Why did you decide to run for office?</strong>

It was my daughter. I did not want her to have to move to another state because there would not be any jobs here.

Both my husband and I grew up in Illinois. We have deep roots here. We purposely moved back to Kankakee from Chicago.

I also was tired of seeing other people failing to make the tough decisions when decisions had to be made. Years ago, never in my wildest dreams, did I think I would be in politics.

<strong>Is the state Legislature what you thought it would be?</strong>

I'm enjoying it. It's challenging. I'm embracing it. You learn to see things through different lenses.

There is a lot more to it than just one vote. This is a big district. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is helping people solve the problems they have with state government.

I also want to see business grow here. Kankakee is on the verge of some wonderful things. It just needs some rain and some sunshine to blossom.

<strong>Let's start with the state budget [that was approved earlier this year]. You voted "no'' on the budget.</strong>

It was not a balanced budget. It was out of balance by $6 billion. That's billion with a "b."

We were just paying more for the same broken government, and we did not get any reforms.

For the past 15 years, Mike Madigan (democratic speaker of the House) has been in charge and our budget has not been balanced. We deserve better and we deserve better than a 32 percent (income) tax hike.

<strong>How would you balance the budget?</strong>

The budget is complex, but we need larger cuts. You can save a lot by streamlining. No one wants to see cuts, but there is a lot of waste. You have to pay the mortgage before you buy the big-screen TV.

We have to protect the most vulnerable, but no one wants to hear that cuts have to be made.

<strong>You also voted no on the revision of the school funding formula.</strong>

The new school funding formula is a vast improvement, a big step in the right direction, but it was too much of a Chicago bailout for me. Essentially, we rewarded Chicago for eight years of pension holidays (eight years of not paying enough into their pension system).

<strong>What is your opinion on legalized gambling in Illinois. It now seems like we have a video poker parlor on every corner.</strong>

In general, I am not big on sin taxes. They are not a stable way to fund government, but we are in such a fiscal crisis that everything must be on the table.

They now are talking about online sports gambling. I would have to see the specific legislation before making a decision.

Gambling does tend to hurt disadvantaged communities and we have those in the 79th District, but gambling also helps keep some small businesses afloat.

<strong>What about the potential legalization of marijuana?</strong>

Any discussion of that is premature. We have to pay attention to what other states are doing and study their results.

The legalization of marijuana means a big social change. Would we have a good enough test for driving under the influence of marijuana — like DUI?

I am glad we made the change to allow medical marijuana, and I know places like Chicago have changed the law to collect more fines.

I do think, whatever we do, it has to be comprehensive and deliberate.

<strong>What can be done about the epidemic of opioid use and overdoses?</strong>

This is a national problem. We've seen lawsuits over the prescribing of so many painkillers.

This has been absolutely devastating. It is just such a powerful addiction that whole lives are being ruined. As if the opioids were not enough, people are adding in animal tranquilizers.

I know we have to educate children against these dangers. We also have to find non-narcotic pain relievers.

We see people start with prescribed painkillers and then go on to more powerful and more addictive street drugs.

<strong>Can you help the city of Kankakee with its grant to plan the development of the Kankakee River?</strong>

Even before the city plan, this definitely was on my list. I want to help the city as much as I can. The river is one of our biggest assets, and we need to show her off.

One of my first bills was to propose adding Kankakee to the series of River's Edge Tax Credits. These would help with job creation and historic preservation. There already are five or six cities in Illinois using these credits. The credits would help clean up the banks, help with development and help get business in.

Kankakee should be part of this program. I will fight to get this passed.

<strong>What can be done about the state's woeful public pension system?</strong>

A promise made is a debt unpaid. We have to keep our word on that [which] has been already promised. We can't change that. It would be wrong and unconstitutional to do so.

Going forward, we will have a tiered system. The benefits for the next generation will not be the same.

This is a problem we need to work collectively on, but breaking our promise would not be right.

I personally rejected a state pension and state benefits because I did not want to make the situation worse.

<strong>Is the Legislature as partisan as it seems to be? Can a Republican get anything done?</strong>

Eighty-five percent of the things we get done, we do by agreement. You do not have to be a Republican or a Democrat.

I vote what is best for my district. I do not always vote with my caucus or with the governor (Republican Bruce Rauner).

The idea of being bipartisan has been shut down by Madigan, and a certain amount of it will stay shut down as long as he is there. He has power and he knows how to use it, making others disposable and expendable.

On a personal level, I am moderate. I try to get along. One side is not always right.

<strong>Do you support term limits?</strong>

Wholeheartedly. Ten years for a legislator is enough. For the governor, eight years. I am term-limiting myself.

Legislators need to be tuned into their community. You should not be making decisions based on how you will get longevity. You should be able to stick to your guns. Others might want to stick to their guns, but can't if they are thinking of that next election.

<strong>Can the Republican Party prosper in Illinois? Once this state was a key bellwether. Now, we are as democratic as democratic can be.</strong>

Sometimes, politics can be on a pendulum. It goes too far one way and then swings back. Each voter has to figure out what is most important to them. Are they a one-issue voter?

Right now, Republican values seem more moderate and reasonable. Lower taxes. Make sure Illinois is open for business.

<strong>What's the most fun you have in your job?</strong>

When I walk into the Capitol I am taken by the beauty of the building, and I realize the history of the state. In the chamber, I look at a big portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. It's a thrill every time I walk in. It inspires me.

<strong>Any final thoughts?</strong>

I am here to help the people of the 79th District — Republicans and Democrats. I want to help each community. Illinois is a beautiful state. We need to restore it to its former glory.

<strong>Occupation:</strong> State Representative for the 79th District

She is the first Republican elected to that seat in 30 years, following 16 years by Phil Novak, 10 years by Lisa Dugan and four years by Kate Cloonen, all Democrats.

<strong>Personal:</strong> Daughter of the late Don and Betty Parkhurst. Father was a doctor. Mother was a nurse. "I got my commitment to the community from them." Married to Marc Magiera for 16 years. One daughter, Lucy, a freshman at Bishop McNamara High School. A six-month-old Shar Pei puppy, Lola.

<strong>Education:</strong> Kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Paul's Lutheran School, Kankakee; 1981 graduate of Kankakee Eastridge High School, where she was voted Most Likely to Succeed. "I was a bookworm." Honors English graduate from the University of Illinois. Law degree from Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent. Master's of Legal Letters in Health and Hospital Law from DePaul University. Edgar Fellow (a leadership training program).

<strong>Career:</strong> Private attorney for 17 years. Wanted to teach Shakespeare, but found out a lot of other people wanted to do that, too. "I needed a Plan B." She took the Law School Admission Test and did very well, then went to law school. Found out "critical thinking was right up my alley." Wound up enjoying it.

<strong>Recreation:</strong> Has read everything ever written by Shakespeare. Reads historical fiction, business books and biographies: King Arthur; Henry VIII; Cleopatra; Queen Elizabeth I. Quilter. Has a pontoon boat.

<strong>Community:</strong> Kankakee Bar Association member. Society of Women in Law; co-chair of fundraising at Prairie State Legal Services; vice chair of Two Rivers Area Credit Union; member of the Hundred Club.