Republican

Kathy Smith

Alton

Age: 46

Married

Children: 2

Job: Business and estate planning attorney

Phone: (618) 465-6225

Web: KathySmithForIllinois.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kathy.seatonsmith

Twitter: --

E-mail: kathy@kathysmithforillinois.com

Education: Bachelor's in business, SIUE; Master's in engineering, Washington University; law degree, Saint Louis University

Previous offices: Madison County Board member

Qualifications: Our politicians in Illinois have the wrong priorities. Illinois is a great state, it's the politicians that have messed up. While politicians cut education funding and eliminate critical programs for seniors, they increase spending and waste money on pork projects for the City of Chicago. We need to cut the excuses and find solutions. I have had enough with Springfield's over-taxing, over-spending, and over-borrowing, and I am ready to do something about it. I will make a clean break from the past and get Illinois moving in the right direction.

Top issues: The top three issues in this race are jobs, taxes and reducing state spending. It's time for a change and to restore accountability back to Illinois government. As state representative, I pledge to oppose new tax increases, repeal the Quinn-Beiser 67 percent income tax hike, support legislation to help create and retain jobs in the metro-east and say no to new spending until our state finances are under control.