The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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November 6, 2009

McKenna sets sights on overspending

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL

DANVILLE — Stopping overspending in Springfield is the promise of one Republican businessman running for the office of Illinois governor.

Andy McKenna of Chicago is one of seven GOP candidates squaring off in the February primary. A total of 13 candidates are vying for the governor’s post.

McKenna, who announced his candidacy last week, is a conservative businessman running on the platform of cutting spending in Springfield and developing more jobs for the state. He said people are wondering who reigns in the government when times get tough.

“Certainly, they’re looking for leadership that will say ‘Here’s how we get government back under control,” he said on Friday during a stop in Danville as part of a trip through central and southern Illinois.

McKenna said because he is not a politician, he is not part of the Springfield political culture and can make decisions for the state that are not self-serving.

“If you go down there and are truly ready to take on political risks and do what’s needed, you can fix the problem,” he said.

McKenna stands by a three-point plan he contends can help fix the problems facing the state. The first task, freeze state spending.

“Government has got to live within its means,” he said.

Next, McKenna said plans need to be made to build up jobs in the state. Finally, he said the government should make commitments it can keep, criticizing the state’s pension system as one example.

“Those three pieces will right the ship,” he said. “It will involve a lot of tough decisions.”

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