State Representative Kent Gaffney seeks Republican Nomination

The summer of 2011 brought many things to people across the state of Illinois and Wauconda. After the sudden and unfortunate passing of our former state representative Mark Beaubien from Barrington Hills on June 5th of last year, Kent Gaffney, who at the time served as  the Budget Director for the Illinois House Republican Caucus, stepped forward as successor to Representative Beaubien.

On the Fourth of July 2011,  while citizens attended backyard barbecues, pool-parties  and later gathered at the local parks to watch pyrotechnic displays, Kent Gaffney was sworn-in as successor to the late Beaubien and as the New State Representative for District 52. His district includes portions of Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties.

Gaffney had a hand in passing legislation with regards to anti-war protestors at military funerals. He also supports legislation within the new healthcare laws that support returning veterans suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic-stress-disorder and further provides assistance in re-adjusting to civilian life.

Representative Gaffney also serves on the House Revenue and Finance Committee. “The State of Illinois has been on the wrong budgetary path for years…we have the worst state-funded pension system in the country.” In dealing with pension-reform and Medicaid fraud, Representative Gaffney remarked, "This is the first time in fourteen years that both sides (Rep. and Dem.) acted to pass legislation out of The House of Representatives that decreases the budget by five-hundred-million-dollars less than last year…spending less than we take in.” As a Republican, Representative Gaffney speaks with regards to his Democratic counterparts within the House Revenue and Finance Committee, “…we are willing to work with Democrats…..When things are bad, we need to drop the rhetoric.”

Representative Gaffney will continue his support for legislation H.R. 3793, written to provide Property Tax Relief for homeowners. Despite declining property values, Rep. Gaffney explained that the costs associated with operating  local and state run facilities, schools and municipalities have risen. Those supporting H.R. 3793 hope to assist homeowners to continue living within their means, despite the decline in home values while taxes increase.

As Representative Gaffney is the successor to the late Rep. Mark Beaubien, he is also seeking the republican nomination for State Representative of Illinois’ in the new 52nd House District, with the election to be held in March 2012. Currently, our Representative comes highly endorsed by locally elected and trusted officials from across the four counties of Lake, McHenry, Cook and Kane. Citizens can learn more about Representative Kent Gaffney HERE.