Candidate Dan Gott (R-Des Plaines) recently spoke about the drastic need for common sense in Illinois government, and against Common Core curriculum, at two public events during his campaigning last week.
He cited Illinois’ bond rating as being close to “junk.”
Gott, who recently joined several other candidates that were invited to speak at a North Shore Retired Teachers Association (NSRTA) member event, stated his position against Common Core. He cited a 2016 ACT National Curriculum Survey, which found only 16 percent of college professors believe incoming freshman are prepared for college level work. That figure is down from 26 percent in recent years, according to the survey.
“If Common Core is negatively affecting student performance, as recent achievement results suggest, then both parents and students would be better served by state legislatures repealing and replacing Common Core,” Gott told the NSRTA members. “School Choice would free teachers from Common Core and allow them to act as true professionals. Replacing Common Core with School Choice will help reduce and stabilize property taxes, creating a win-win situation for parents, teachers and all Illinois tax payers.”
During a question-and-answer session at the NSRTA meeting, candidates from both parties expressed different views on how to fix the state’s budget crisis.
“When Democrat candidates were asked about their thoughts to solve the state budget problem, they remained focused on raising taxes and spending our way out of the deficit problem,” Gott said. “However, these same candidates were less inclined to continue with borrowing money, probably due to Illinois’ bond rating being two notches above junk. Republican candidates supported a more balanced approach to raise taxes while implementing much-needed reforms to help turn around Illinois. I will cross the aisle to negotiate with Democrat House members. We all want the same thing: a balanced budget with needed reforms.”
Gott, who also spoke at the recent GOP Fall Kick-Off in Park Ridge, reiterated the fact that he is a first-time candidate and can bring a fresh voice to the state legislature.
“When elected, I will listen to what the voters want and support needed reforms,” Gott told the GOP Kick-Off attendees. “I will be a fresh voice for you in Springfield. I support passing a balanced budget, Illinois tax relief, public pension reform, funding for education, term limits and fair maps. Illinois families and individuals deserve a prosperous and bright future -- especially our children and grandchildren.”
Gott told the large crowd at the GOP event that there are high stakes in this election and in order to improve Illinois, voters need to take away the current politicians' power, mainly House Speaker Mike Madigan.
"Let's not run away from the problem," Gott said. "We need to go through the problem on Nov. 8. It's time to bring Illinois out of the darkness into the light."
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