Kirk, Hultgren Pledge Changes in Congress

Hundreds of local Republican and Tea Party supporters packed into the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles on Saturday to talk taxes, regulation, immigration and other issues with Sen. Mark Kirk and Congressman-Elect Randy Hultgren at a town hall event.

The Republican lawmakers vowed to repeal President Barack Obama's signature universal health care legislation, tighten security of the border with Mexico and work to simplify the tax code and provide tax relief to stimulate the economy. They also vowed to help change Congress, which they said is no longer working for the American public.

"We're going to have a big change on Jan. 5, 2011," Kirk said, referring to the swearing-in ceremony of 89 mostly Republican freshmen congressmen. "The days of Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi will be over."

Hultgren said one of his first priorities will be to vote for John Boehner to become Speaker of the House.

"I wanted someone who shares our Midwest values," he said. "What an amazing opportunity I have to enter Congress with one of the largest freshmen classes in history. We feel very strongly that we have been sent on a mission from our districts."

He and Kirk repeatedly pledged to "fix" the political process.

"Congress is broken. It doesn't serve the American people anymore. It serves the Congress," Hultgren said. "I work for you. You are my boss."

He said he wants a level playing field between Congress and the American people, where both play by the same set of rules, have the same rights and sacrifices.

"The people who elected us are tightening their belts, and so should we. We are going to make sure there's level playing field," he Hultgren said. "That's the mindset we should have. We're not going there to get rich. We're going there to make a difference."

Acknowledging a tough economic climate, Kirk pledged to cut spending and work to create jobs.

"Does anyone here know someone who is out of work?" he asked as nearly half of the mostly white, middle-aged and older crowd raising their hands.

"Did the stimulus work?" he continued. The crowd yelled "no," and Kirk concluded: "It was a big waste of money."

He called on freezing civilian pay in the federal government, as well as all governmental hiring. He also cheered his proposed Spending Control Act of 2010, which if passed, would give Congress greater power to make cuts and control spending.

Other proposed solutions include stopping deficit spending, passing a balanced budget amendment, eliminating obsolete programs, passing a small business bill of rights, making infrastructure improvements a priority, improving education, and opening new markets to American exports, something he said he and the President agree on.

Creating new trade agreements with South American countries and countries such as South Korea would directly benefit Illinois, which is home to the country's top two exporters, the Boeing and Motorola companies, Kirk said. He added that Illinois has more than $5 billion in unpaid bills, and is worse off than California regarding per capita spending.

"I do not believe the federal government should bail out the states," he said.

Some attendees asked the lawmakers about their stances on issues including the failed DREAM Act vote that would have paved a path to citizenship for young people brought here illegally who then go on to graduate college or serve in the military.

"Our current immigration system is broken. This whole system has to be addressed and has to be cleaned up," Hultgren said in explaining his opposition. "Tightening up our border, that has to happen first."

Kirk added that while the bill may have some good qualities, he can't support it until "we make sure illegal entry to the United States is nearly impossible."

When asked about repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and the toll they are taking on the military members and their families, Kirk, a naval reserve officer, said better days are on the horizon with the draw-down of troops in Iraq.

"It absolutely takes its toll," he said, praising the the all-volunteer military. "They have been the most victorious military ever deployed anywhere."

The open forum was a delight for Walter Jones of Geneva, who called the event one of the best town hall gatherings he's ever seen.

"I'm encouraged," he said. "I believe they are sincere, and in six months to a year we will see. The fact that they are willing to listen to the people is a good sign."