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Political affiliation: Democrat

City: Chicago

Marital status: Single

Occupation/Firm name: Full Time State Representative

Campaign HQ address: 2058B N. Western

Campaign website: www.toniberrios.com

What is your campaign budget- $100,000

What are your top priorities for your district-

My top priorities have not changed for the district since I first became state representative in 2002--to improve education and the quality of family life.

What are your top priorities for the state-

Again, since 2002 my priorities for the state have been to improve education and the quality of family life.

Lay out your plan to solve the state budget crisis. Be as specific as possible, including any recommended spending cuts. Given a massive deficit, what areas would you prioritize for state spending- What can Illinois do without-

We unfortunately need to look to an income tax rate increase to help resolve the state's budget crisis. In addition, we should look to consolidating agencies of government with overlapping responsibilities. Another cost savings measure would be to lower the salaries of state boards and commissions. For many members, this is extra income on top of their personal paychecks. My priorities would be education, human services and senior services, first. I would then have to compare priorities with colleagues to see what agencies and services don't make the cut. Sadly, these are times for hard choices.

Do you support or reject increasing the state income tax- What about expanding the sales tax base- What is your view on taxing retirement income-

I support increasing the income tax rate for two main reasons. We are running out of options to balance the budget and it is a fair share way to go. I would consider expanding the sales tax base, but am not entirely sold on the idea. I would be opposed to taxing retirement income. These are individuals who have planned for years to make ends meet on their monthly benefits and in many cases are living on fixed incomes.

What is your view on state borrowing to pay bills, including to pay pension obligations-

It should only be used as an absolute last resort.

Did the General Assembly abdicate its responsibility this year and last year by passing a lump sum budget-

No, because we kept working through the completion of the budget process. Once the governor had the lump sum budget, we had to meet with him to seek funds for our priorities. We had to work much harder to keep the initiatives for which we had pushed. I fought strongly to keep funding for education and seniors. And then, we had to petition agency heads for their funding dollars to support the priorities we discussed with the Governor.

The state last spring created a two-tier pension system. Would you go further by including new police officers and new firefighters and by reducing benefits for current employees- Would you support making retired state employees pay more for their health care-

I don't want to raise the retirement age of new police officers and firefighters because it wouldn't be fair, nor safe. I was invited by Chicago Firefighters to go through an abbreviated training program. I had the opportunity to climb ladders and wear the 80 pounds of gear for a different portion. I certainly wouldn't want to jeopardize anyone's safety with a 70-year-old carrying out that task in an actual fire with lives at stake. I would also not reduce benefits for current employees who were hired at a specific rate. I do not consider that fair, especially for someone who's lived up to their side of the bargain. That's why we supported raising the retirement age for new hires and lowering their benefits because they will sign on agreeing to the revisions. I would not support making retired state employees pay more for their health care because I can't asked someone who's served the people of Illinois to now pay more than when they calculated their retirement on their promised plan. Again, the majority of these retired workers are on fixed incomes.

How would you reform the state Medicaid system-

I think the State is working towards reforming the Medicaid system with the legislation that we passed this year. We are streamlining the process, working on cutting down fraudulent practices and making the program more transparent.

What would you do to facilitate job growth in Illinois- Is the money spent by the state to recruit businesses and offer tax breaks money well spent-

We need to give more tax credits to new businesses coming into Illinois creating a certain number of jobs. The money currently spent in that area is well spent, but it is not enough. We need to offer more. We are losing new businesses to neighboring states because of better breaks.

The Illinois Constitution says the state has the "primary responsibility" for funding education. How would you make the state live up to that obligation-

Here especially, I would look to an increase in the income tax rate. I work hard to make the state live up to that obligation, at least in my district, by bringing each school in my district $20,000 in capital funds and $50,000 to the one high school.

How would you improve the campaign finance law passed in 2009- Would you support capping donations from party leaders during general elections-

Let's give it time to be implemented to see what else needs to be improved. I would not cap donations.

Do state Legislative leaders have too much power-

No.

Should the state play an active role in reducing global warming- If so, how-

Yes. We should all do our part. Personally, I've co-sponsored all environmentally friendly legislation to come out of Springfield. Currently, we're looking at harnessing energy from wind farms and other innovative initiatives.

What is your view on gay marriage and civil unions-

I am fine with civil unions and personally have no issue with gay marriage. However, my district with its strong religious makeup has traditionally been more resistant to gay marriage. So before any vote, I would need to take the issue to my constituents for their input and counsel.

List your educational background

I am a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a Board of Governor's Degree. I hold a Certificate of Completion from the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, conducted by The Council of State Governments Midwestern Office in cooperation with The Robert M. LaFollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I was also chosen from among legislators across the nation to participate in the Foreign Policy Institute for State Legislators conducted by the Center for Women Policy Studies.

Please list civic, professional, fraternal or other organizations to which you belong

I am the co-chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. I serve on the Board of Directors of Child's Play Touring Theatre, a premiere theater company in the United States which for more than a quarter of a century has dedicated itself to exclusively performing works written by children. I also serve on the Board of Directors of Tabula Rasa, a transitional living program to combat the serial incarceration of Chicago youth. I am a member of Young Elected Officials Network, American Council of Young Political Leaders and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed officials.

Have you held elective or appointive political office or been employed by any branch of government-

I have been an Illinois state representative for my district since 2002.

Please list jobs or contracts you, members of your immediate family or business partners have had with government

I am single with no children. My father, brother and sister work in Cook County government.

Name your five biggest campaign contributors and the amount they contributed

Comcast--$1,500

Humana--$750

Walgreens--$500

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of A.--$500

Astra Zeneca--$250

Please paste a brief biography here

Maria Antonia "Toni" Berrios was re-elected to her fourth term in the Illinois General Assembly as the 39th District State Representative. Her district on Chicago's Northwest Side includes parts of the Avondale, Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, and Logan Square neighborhoods. Berrios is the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the Illinois House of Representatives.

As a state representative, Berrios' top priorities are to improve education and the quality of family life in her district and throughout Illinois. She has focused on issues that increase the well-being of children, seniors and working families. She strongly supports after school programs, affordable housing, initiatives that reduce crime and better health care for everyone.

In Springfield, Berrios serves on six committees. She is the Chairperson of the Biotechnology Committee and Vice-Chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee, as well as a member of the Executive Committee. She is also a member of the Insurance, International Trade & Commerce and the Mass Transit Committees. In addition, Berrios serves as the co-chair of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus.

Before her election in 2002, she worked with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission on improving the health of the state's residents. She has also worked with Secretary of State Jesse White when he was the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

Berrios has always been an active member of her community, volunteering her time over the years with various organizations and events, including the Young Democrats of Cook County. Berrios serves on the Board of Directors of Child's Play Touring Theatre, a premiere theater company in the United States which for more than a quarter of a century has dedicated itself to exclusively performing works written by children.

The representative is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a Board of Governor's Degree. She holds an Illinois Life Insurance License and a Certificate of Completion from the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, conducted by The Council of State Governments Midwestern Office in cooperation with The Robert M. LaFollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Berrios was also chosen from among legislators across the nation to participate in the Foreign Policy Institute for State Legislators conducted by the Center for Women Policy Studies.

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