Lake County Gazette

State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods), who was elected Nov. 8 to the 26th District seat, recently told the Lake County Gazette about his hopes for the General Assembly session. 

McConchie said he is not only pleased with the outcome of the election, but also humbled.

“It’s really great to have the peoples' vote of confidence in such a resounding way," said McConchie, who was appointed to the seat several months ago.

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McConchie has been an advocate for term limits and education while serving in the state Senate. In fact, he holds a seat on the Education Funding Reform Tax Force Commission. This committee serves to find an appropriate and positive way to help fund schools all over the state. McConchie said all children, regardless of ZIP code, should be able to attend a well-funded school.

Going with tradition, McConchie strives to continue to fight for what he believes when the next full General Assembly session begins in January. When asked what his goals are, he spoke mainly of education and property tax reform. 

“One of the things I’m already working on is school-funding reform in the way in which we fund schools in the state,” McConchie said.

In connection with education, he conveyed his high interest in property tax reform, and how the system must change.

“Easily somewhere around 70-75 percent of someone’s property tax bill goes to fund his or her local schools," McConchie said. "The only way we are going to get substantial property-tax relief is to fundamentally change the way in which we help support our schools. That is something that certainly is a top priority because every single day that I go out and talk to voters, the number one issue that they complain about is property taxes.”

As with many other states, Illinois is no different when it comes to a lack of school funding, and McConchie hopes to change that aspect of government with a new, better school-funding strategy.

In the upcoming General Assembly, McConchie also hopes to have a good rapport with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to discuss important issues at hand.

“I certainly hope the speaker will become more amenable to actually trying to get some things done, rather than stonewalling.”