District 11 Primary: Rick Laib's Candidate Questionnaire

DISTRICT 11, ILLINOIS — Rick Laib will face off against Krishna Bansal for the Republican nomination in the Illinois District 11 primary Tuesday. Here are Rick Laib's answer to Patch's 2020 primary questionnaire.

U.S. House

Rick Laib

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

45

<b>Town/City of Residence</b>

Joliet

<b>Office Sought</b>

U.S. House

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Republican

<b>Family</b>

Mom, Dad, four brothers, one sister, sisters in law, nieces, nephews

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Education</b>

ThM Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, MA Biola University, BA University of St. Francis

<b>Occupation</b>

Sergeant, Will County Sheriff's Office; 23 years

<b>Campaign website</b>

ricklaib2020.com

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

None

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Sanctity of human life. We must discontinue the practice of intentionally taking the lives of innocent members of the human family.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

The incumbent, Congressman Bill Foster, has not made recognizing the sanctity of human life a priority.

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

Again, the incumbent, Congressman Bill Foster, has not made recognizing the sanctity of human life a priority. Additionally, he has not taken a strong stance against the farcical impeachment hearings.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform</b>

I am a pro life, pro 2nd Amendment, pro free market candidate.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

Most of my career, including my time at the Sheriff's Office and my service in the United States ARMY Reserves, have been about service to the public.

<b>If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?</b>

Significant advancement of conservative views in legislation and in our culture.

<b>Why should voters trust you?</b>

Because I am a lover of truth. I'm transparent and I'm accountable.

<b>What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?</b>

We must continue to entertain budget changes that reduce spending, reduce the size and scope of the federal government, and employ sound fiscal principles. Largely, we should turn our focus to reducing or eliminating programs that are underperforming, shift responsibilities that could better be handled by the individual States to the States, and look to see what services the federal government is currently providing that could be provided by private market.

<b>Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?</b>

No

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was …</b>

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

The government is in a unique position to help the American people, yet many of the problems that we see in our culture are not helped by government involvement. What would be most beneficial, then, would be for the government to confine itself and focus on two things: 1. providing for true freedom and 2. restraining evil. This focus would provide a clearer path for those who can be of the most beneficial help, to help.