Here’s a campaign promise that I have never seen from a legislative candidate before. It’s contained in a press release from Tim Schmitz challenger Jim Krenz:

JIM KRENZ WILL DECLINE LEGISLATIVE PENSION, IF ELECTED

Carpentersville, IL September 5, 2007 – Republican State Representative candidate Jim Krenz announced today that, if elected, he would help to formulate a solution to solve the state’s current problem with state funded pensions. Krenz also announced that he would be declining the state pension, that he would earn as a legislator, if elected, because he believes the pension system needs to be changed and he does not want to be part of the problem.

“I am calling for a change that is good for the taxpayers of Illinois,” said Krenz. “The change in Illinois will start with one elected official doing the right thing, then another and another. When I am elected to the 49th District House Seat, I will sign a written contract on the first day of office stating that I will refuse to participate and I will decline my participation in the State Pension System. The system needs to change and it is not fair that I would be collecting a pension for a part-time job.”

Krenz is proposing that the state look into moving away from the current pension system and adopt a new system for future employees that is inline with the self directed, non-defined benefit retirement plans as in the private sector.

“It is not my intent to break the past promises the State has made to workers in Illinois in regards to their pensions,” said Krenz. “I am proposing that we would move away from the current system and to the new system for all new employees that participate in state and locally funded pensions.”

“How can they [State Law Makers] in good conscience and with a concern for future generations, perpetuate and continue the pension debacle in the State of Illinois,” said Krenz. “How can state law makers solve the current pension problem when they have their hands in the cookie jar themselves?”

Krenz is not only talking about part-time House members receiving state funded pensions, but also the passing of House Bill 2660, which issued $10 billion worth of 30-year Bonds for Pensions in the State of Illinois, which includes the General Assembly Retirement System that House members are part of. Under HB 2660, the state would double the per capita borrowing to $2,000 per citizen that when paid back, would nearly cost each citizen in Illinois $3,000.

“Do you know what our Representative Tim Schmitz had to say about HB 2660?” said Krenz. “All he could say was ‘PRESENT’, that is what he voted on HB 2660. He couldn’t even stand up and say ‘no, this isn’t right.’ Do we want a Representative in Springfield that will not fight for what is right for the citizens of Illinois? Do we want a Representative in Illinois that is too afraid to take a stance on the issues? I will let the voters in the 49th answer that on February 5th.”

Jim Krenz is a Republican running in the 49th District for State Representative, which serves the communities of Gilberts, Hampshire, Dundee, Carpentersville, Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and other communities. Krenz is running on the platform of education, healthcare, fighting tax and fee increases, cutting down on wasteful State spending and bringing more money back to the district for infrastructure and special project needs. Krenz is also pro-life and pro-gun rights. The Krenz Campaign is ran by sports and public relations executive Joe Stefani.