Sal Raspanti completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Raspanti's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
I grew up in Park Ridge and attended Park Ridge schools. My wife and I have been married for 36 years. We have two adult children and one grandchild. As the son of Italian immigrants who came to the United States on a family member sponsorship, so their children could have a better life, I watched my parents work tirelessly to ensure our family was able to prosper in this new country and live the American Dream. I retired from FM Global (a Fortune 500 Company) in 2017 after 38 years of service, as their Vice President of Global Sales, where I began in 1979 as a teenager cutting grass at their location in Park Ridge (300 S. Northwest Highway). I continued working part-time at FM Global as I went to college, and was offered a full-time Staff Accountant position in 1984. In 1993, I was recruited for a Sales Position within the company, and from there my career transitioned to a regional leadership role and subsequently was promoted to Vice President of Global Sales, a position I held until my retirement. I currently serve as the City Clerk of Park Ridge (elected in 2021). Previously, I also served the city of Park Ridge as Alderman of the 4th Ward (elected in 2011), Planning & Zoning Commissioner (appointed in 2009) and Park Board Commissioner (elected in 2005). Instilled in me by my parents, the principles of Honesty, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability have successfully guided me throughout my life. If elected, they will also guide me in Springfield as state senator.
CRIME. I'll be working to ensure our communities are safe. We must reverse the damage caused by my opponent who voted in favor of legislation that undermined our law enforcement, empowered failed State's Attorney Kim Foxx with Cashless bail, and ultimately empowered criminals. My commitment to residents of the district is that I will make our communities safer by supporting legislature that repeals those bills and vote in favor of bills that strengthen our resolve on crime.
AXES. & INFLATION. lllinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. The influx of Federal money in the form of a bailout is not a sustainable solution. That is why I will work to reform state programs to drive down costs. That means cutting costs where we can, working to improve efficiencies, remove duplicative programs and ensure programs are delivering services to those in need. There needs to be a cultural change in Springfield – we can not tax our way out of the financial mess we're in and zero based budgeting is the tool to get us there.
EDUCATION. I believe a great education is a pathway to success and achieving the American dream. I am focused on ensuring our communities have the best schools that provide the best education for kids. One way to do that is to protect local control and parental engagement to ensure schools are serving the unique needs of their community and preparing our kids for success in the globalized 21st-century world. There is a lot of attention give to the input of funding education, which I fully support, but we also need to focus on the output of education. Almost 2/3's of fourth graders cannot read or do math at grade level. I will support any effort that makes sure our schools have the resources necessary to change that.
As a results oriented local and business leader, I've spent my life working with individuals from all different backgrounds and political beliefs, to serve and provide solutions for our customers, residents, and partners. That is what I will bring to Springfield where I will work to build bi-partisan compromise around solutions that ensure the legislature works effectively for the interests of all people and not just those who finance more 90% of a politician's warchest, like my opponent. I support term limits for elected officials and especially for legislative leaders. I support fair maps, so politicians don't pick their voters. I also support structural ethics reforms that are desperately need in Springfield - one of the most corrupt state governments in the nation. We are also in desperate need of meaningful campaign reform, to prevent politicians from putting special interests ahead of the best interests of ALL taxpayers. For me reducing violent Crime that's been leaking into our communities and making all of our neighborhoods safer is my number one priority and the area of public policy I am most passionate about.
My parents (Joseph & Lucia) - Italian immigrants who worked tirelessly to give our family an opportunity at a better way of life and installed the values of Honesty, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability. These same values will guide me in Springfield, if elected. None of who I am as a person or what I've accomplished throughout my life was possible without their selfless commitment to our family.
Someone who cared, always acted in the best interests of all constituents, left the district in better shape and ultimately made people feel they were well represented.
My wife and I struggled having children. We suffered multiple mis-carriages and lost our 5th pregnancy (umbilical cord strangulation) the week before our child was due (i.e.full term). We were blessed, eventually having two healthy children, but that was certainly a time in our lives where we struggled.
Reducing violent crime and holding those responsible, accountable for their actions. Support and adequately fund Law Enforcement to make sure they have resources necessary to do their job effectively. A safe community is the bedrock of a vibrant and prosperous society where each person can pursue their dreams.
Balancing the budget. Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. The influx of Federal money is not a sustainable solution. That is why I will work to reform state programs to drive down costs. That means cutting costs where we can, working to improve efficiencies, remove duplicative programs and ensure programs are delivering services to those in need.
Education is the keystone to a great career and the ability to pursue your dreams. As the son of Italian immigrants my parents sacrificed so I could get a great education, and it changed my lot in life. I believe every child should have access to an excellent education and I believe the State should fund it. Illinois used to be the most unfairly funded education system in the nation and the evidence-based model started to change that. We need leaders in Springfield who will ensure the State lives up to its promise to provide money to schools and doesn't siphon money out of schools for politicians' pet projects. My primary concern is that kids are getting an excellent education. We talk a lot about funding which is an input. I'll bring a focus on measuring and driving outputs. Today nearly two-thirds of fourth graders can't read or do math at grade
Climate Change. Climate Change is real and has resulted in an increase of frequency and severity in natural hazard events like flooding. Well thought out strategies and specific short and long term recommendations to mitigate the impact of these events should be incorporated into the state's strategic plan. Success needs to be clearly defined and progress measurable so that we know when the objective is achieved.
I support a process for redistricting that doesn't allow politicians to pick their voters. I support reforms like fair-maps to return power to the people and actually allow voters to hold politicians accountable at the ballot box.
Yes and while there have been many....there is one that I've heard many times. It the story of families having to make difficult choices because of skyrocketing inflation and high taxes. Approximately 53% of the homes in the 28th District have a combined household income of less than $80k and are genuinely struggling. Entrenched incumbent politicians like my opponent have lost touch with their constituents and focus more on the special interest groups who fund their campaign warchest.
Yes. As a results oriented local and business leader, I've spent my life working with folks from all different backgrounds and political beliefs, to serve and provide solutions for our customers, residents, and partners. That is what I will bring to Springfield where I will work to build bi-partisan compromise around solutions that ensure the legislature works effectively for the best interests of all people within the district.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Raspanti submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 12, 2022.
I grew up in Park Ridge and attended Park Ridge schools. Together with my wife of 36 yrs, we have two adult children and one grandchild. As the son of Italian immigrants who came to the United States so their children could have a better life, I watched my parents work tirelessly to ensure our family was able to prosper in this new country and live the America Dream. I began working as a Landscaper in 1979 as a teenager and retired in 2017 from the same Fortune 500 company after 38 years as their Vice President of Global Sales. The values of Honesty, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability were instilled in me by my parents. If elected, these same values will also guide me in Springfield.
REDUCE CRIME. I'll be working to ensure our communities are safe. We must reverse the damage caused by my opponent who voted in favor of legislation that undermined our law enforcement, empowered failed State's Attorney Kim Foxx with Cashless bail, and further empowered criminals. My commitment to residents of the district is that I will make our communities safer by supporting legislature that repeals those bills and vote in favor of bills that strengthen our resolve on crime.
TAXES. & INFLATION. During her time in office, my opponent has hurt working families with her votes. She voted for doubling the gas tax and hiking the state income tax rate by 32%. She also voted for the graduated income tax to raise taxes again and put more power in the hands of Springfield insiders. While hurting working families, my opponent also had no problem voting to increase her own pay. There needs to be a cultural change in Springfield – we can not tax our way out of the financial mess we're in....or rely on federal bailouts to meet our financial obligations. Working families with a household income below $80k represent 53%.
EDUCATION. I believe a great education is a pathway to success and achieving the American dream. I am focused on ensuring our communities have the best schools that provide the best education for kids. One way to do that is to protect local control and parental engagement to ensure schools are serving the unique needs of their community and preparing our kids for success in the globalized 21st-century world. While the input of funding education is being addressed we must also look into the outputs. The reality is nearly 2/3's of fourth graders are NOT meeting the reading and math requirements of their grade levels and that must change..
Meaningful representation and supporting legislation for the benefit all constituents and not just the special interest groups that finance more 90% of a campaign warchest, like my opponent. With a rise in violent crime, skyrocketing inflation and high taxes in the forefront of voters’ minds, they’re demanding a choice at the ballot box.Voters recognize that entrenched incumbents like my opponent are out of touch with the kitchen table issues impacting families and the law enforcement professionals who risk their lives daily to protect each of us. As a common sense candidate, I have a proven track record in the private and public sector as a strong leader, which is desperately needed during these challenging times for a safer and brighter future.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Raspanti submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 10, 2022.
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