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Mike Smiddy
Mike Smiddy is a former Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 71 from 2013 to 2017.
Biography
Smiddy's professional experience includes working on the staff of Congressman Lane Evans and as a human resources representative/supply supervisor for East Moline Correctional Center.[1]
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Smiddy served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Higher Education |
| • Community College Access & Affordability, Vice chair |
| • Elementary & Secondary Education School Curriculum Policies |
| • Juvenile Justice & System-Involved |
| • Labor & Commerce |
| • Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Smiddy served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Higher Education |
| • Energy |
| • Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development |
| • Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges |
Campaign themes
2016
Smiddy's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Fed up with the status quo Illinois needs leaders that are willing to make bold moves to solve our problems, not line their own pockets. I opposed pay raises for legislators, and when we got them anyway, I decided to give it to local charities. Too many in Springfield are using their office to enrich themselves rather than help the people they are there to serve. We can no longer afford the backroom deals and pay-to-play politics that got us into this mess. Lowering taxes When the 67% tax hike was first implemented, the voters of this state were promised that it would be a temporary increase. I hadn’t yet been elected when that promise was made, but I needed to keep it just the same. I am proud to say that we were able to implement this tax cut while keeping education funding at a level rate. Protecting the Rock Island Arsenal For years, the Rock Island Arsenal has been in danger of downsizing or closing because it lacked a direct flight to Washington, D.C. , making it difficult to transport military and civilian personnel. The Rock Island Arsenal employs over 7,000 people, making it the largest employer in our area. Through the I-FLY program, we were able to secure a direct flight to D.C., keeping the Rock Island Arsenal—and the 7,000+ families that rely on it—in business. Reforming Springfield A voter is supposed to choose their elected officials, not the other way around. It doesn’t matter what party you’re with—fair is fair, and the current system just isn’t fair. Every ten years, political leaders get together and decide how to draw legislative districts. Every time, it benefits the powerful and the wealthy interests that support them. We need an independent, bipartisan commission to draw district lines to give everyday people more of a voice in government. That’s why I was the only state representative in my party to come out in favor of the fair maps proposal. When the Springfield powers-that-be derailed the petition effort, I decided to write and sponsor legislation to accomplish the same goal. We need real solutions and we won’t get them until we’ve got a fair process. Standing up for children, seniors, and veterans My opponent and his Tea Party allies want deep cuts to programs for children, seniors, and veterans here in Illinois to finance tax breaks for the wealthy. I believe that is wrong and I will fight to protect our most vulnerable citizens.[2] |
” |
| —Mike Smiddy[3] | ||
2012
Smiddy's campaign website listed the following issues:[4]
- Standing up for Children, Seniors, and Veterans
- Excerpt: "I’ll fight to restore the building blocks of a strong economy: good jobs you can raise a family on, real retirement security, quality public schools, and affordable college tuition."
- Closing corporate tax loopholes instead of schools
- Excerpt: "The Illinois tax system is broken and unfair to working families. Instead of slashing education or seniors’ programs, we need to eliminate corporate loopholes to ensure they pay their fair share—just like the rest of us. Our school districts need that money more than the wealthy corporate interests do."
- Creating Jobs that can Support a Family
- Excerpt: "We need to actively invest in our economy to create good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced. Expanding and improving our state infrastructure is vital to the economic well-being of Illinois families. I will work to expand our high-speed rail network, which creates jobs and provides a long-term economic boost to our community."
- Ensuring quality public education for all children
- Excerpt: "I will fight to give our kids the tools they need to prepare for a 21st century economy: better public schools, increased job training programs, and more affordable college. I will oppose any effort to balance the Illinois budget on the backs of public school students and will fight the make college tuition affordable for working families."
- Fed Up to the Status Quo
- Excerpt: " At a time when our students, veterans, and seniors can’t get what they deserve, we can’t afford any more backroom deals at taxpayer expense. Illinois needs a legislature that is willing to make bold moves to solve our problems. I will push legislation that docks legislators’ pay if they fail to pass a balanced budget that makes sense for working families in Illinois."
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2016
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives were held in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.[5]
Tony McCombie defeated incumbent Mike Smiddy in the Illinois House of Representatives District 71 general election.[6][7]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 71 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Tony McCombie |
62.88% | 30,635 | |
| Democratic | Mike Smiddy Incumbent | 37.12% | 18,082 | |
| Total Votes | 48,717 | |||
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Mike Smiddy ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 71 Democratic primary.[8][9]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 71 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Mike Smiddy Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Tony McCombie ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 71 Republican primary.[10][11]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 71 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Tony McCombie (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 18, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2013. Incumbent Mike Smiddy ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Jim Wozniak was set to face Jeff McKinley in the Republican primary, but McKinley withdrew from the race on January 27, 2014, leaving Wozniak unopposed. Smiddy then defeated Wozniak in the general election.[12][13][14][15]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Smiddy Incumbent |
50.5% | 17,547 | |
| Republican | Jim Wozniak | 49.5% | 17,233 | |
| Total Votes | 34,780 | |||
2012
Smiddy won election in the 2012 election for Illinois House of Representatives District 71. Smiddy defeated James F. Arduini in the March 20 Democratic primary and defeated incumbent Richard Morthland (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[16][17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Smiddy |
52.1% | 25,011 | |
| Republican | Richard Morthland Incumbent | 47.9% | 23,037 | |
| Total Votes | 48,048 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Mike Smiddy |
67.9% | 3,859 |
| James F. Arduini | 32.1% | 1,827 |
| Total Votes | 5,686 | |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2017
In 2017, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31. There were also special sessions. The 1st special session was June 21-July 6. The 2nd special session was July 26-July 31. During the 3rd special session, the Senate met on August 13, and the House met on August 16. The 4th special session was on August 28-29. There was a veto session from October 24-November 9.
- Legislators are scored on votes on bills that the organization believes show "dedication to social and economic justice as well as protecting Illinois’ consumers."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that "help or hinder Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities access more included lives in their homes and communities."'
- Legislators are scored on their votes on manufacturing issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 31.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 (extended session).
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 29 through June 2.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 31.
|
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Smiddy and his wife, Deb, have two children.[1]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Mike + Smiddy + Illinois + Senate"
See also
- Illinois House of Representatives
- House Committees
- Illinois State Legislature
- Illinois state legislative districts
External links
- Official campaign website
- Profile from the Illinois House of Representatives
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Mike Smiddy on Facebook
- Profile from Open States
- Campaign contributions: 2012
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Mike Smiddy," accessed March 3, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Mike Smiddy, "Issues," accessed September 26, 2016
- ↑ Mike Smiddy, "Issues," accessed October 25, 2012
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate list: General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election results, General election 2016," accessed December 15, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections, "General Primary Election Official Canvass," April 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ The Chicago Tribune, "Results List (Unofficial)," accessed November 5, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed January 18, 2013
- ↑ Citizen Action Illinois, "99th General Assembly Legislative Scorecard 2016," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, "2016 Illinois Community Living Report," accessed July 11, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard Morthland (R) |
Illinois House of Representatives District 71 2013–2017 |
Succeeded by Tony McCombie (R) |
