Democrat

Marleen Suarez

Collinsville

Age: 53

Married

Children: 1

Job: Attorney, small business owner

Phone: (618) 823-7743

Web: www.marleensuarez.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Marleen-Suarez-for-State-Representative/232348906885899?ref=hl

Twitter: @MarleenSuarez1

E-mail: marleen.suarezcampaign@gmail.com

Education: B.S. in biology, SIUE; J.D., St. Louis University School of Law

Previous offices: --

Qualifications: I understand how much quality jobs mean to Illinois families. At my family's union trucking company, I learned the importance of sound business practices, balancing a budget, negotiation skills and, most importantly, how to reinvest in the business and create jobs. I have lived in the metro-east all of my life. After my son left for college, I went back to law school. I now practice law helping everyday people and small business owners, like myself, throughout Southwestern Illinois. Unlike my opponent, I am not a political insider. This is the first time I have run for office. I will use my skills as a small business owner to meet the needs of working families. I plan to focus on creating high quality jobs that will create stability and security in the region. I will work to ensure that government spending is used to help the people, not the politicians and special interest groups.

Top issues: We must fight the partisan politics that currently strangle our state government and hamper the economic recovery in Illinois. The overall economy and job creation are the most challenging issues in our state at this time. In addition, many seniors relied on the recently repealed Circuit Breaker Program. My opponent voted to repeal this program, which provided prescription drug benefits and property tax relief for qualifying seniors. I believe it is imperative that the Circuit Breaker program be reinstated. The state must focus on education funding and resolving the pension funding crisis. Illinois will not be on firm financial ground until these problems are dealt with. These issues cannot be resolved unless we deal with the corruption and irresponsible spending in state government.