Thank you for visiting this website and your interest in my campaign for the Illinois State Senate.

I am a candidate for the Illinois State Senate because there are critical issues that need attention that are not being given sufficient attention in Springfield. Although difficult for one senator, there must be a more sincere effort given to evaluating spending in Springfield and realigning priorities to more adequately meet our most pressing needs.

We have a long tradition of supporting public education in this country. However, confidence in our public schools is diminishing and we must take actions that support and improve the schools rather than complaining about them. More attention must be given to the quality of our public education to insure that all graduates are prepared for college, technical school or the career direction of their choosing. Recent research indicates that a significant percentage of high school graduates need remedial classes when they enter college. We can do better.

Beyond traditional education channels, we need to give more focus to retraining and upgrading skills for individuals whose jobs are being outsourced from our state. This is principally in manufacturing, but other job types are dwindling as well. It is good for the economy of the state and for all tax payers to have all citizens employed and job skills training is of key assistance to promote this for everyone.

I propose that when incentives are given to companies, that they be mandated to expend a portion of this money on business expansion and job creation.

 

 

 

 

Over the past several years it has become more evident that we need to provide better mental health services in our communities. More and more frequently individuals with untreated mental health issues are having difficulty functioning at work and increasingly frequently create other problems in families and communities. We need to be far more proactive in providing mental health care.

I believe it is time for the voters of the 26th district to have a senator who more closely represents their views. I will appreciate your support in this effort and I look forward to working with you and being your new voice in Springfield. With your help I will win this election.

Richard has been endorsed by the IVI-IPO (Independent Voters of Illinois). The IVI-IPO has been in existence since 1944.

It is dedicated to good government activism and a vision of open, honest government in Illinois through pragmatic means that look beyond party affiliations and focus on what is best for citizens. The organization lobbies for governmental reforms designed to open the system and better inform the public on the political process. A press conference, announcing Richard’s endorsement and that of other candidates was held on January 8.

Chicago Sun Times:  26th Senate District: Two Democrats are competing to win this far northwest suburban seat held by the retiring William Peterson (R-Long Grove). We back Richard Hammes, a North Barrington management consultant and psychologist because he has proposed solid, workable ideas for the state's pressing problems.

Illinois Women’s Bar Association:  They are focused on advancing opportunities for women in the legal profession as well as advocating for equality in all areas of business.

 SNAPSHOT OF KEY VIEWS:

I am a candidate for the State Senate because there are critical issues that are not being given sufficient attention in Springfield. I will appreciate your support in this effort. I look forward to working with and for the residents of the 26th District and being your new voice in Springfield.

Spending Controls and Revenues:

 There must be tighter controls on spending and a thorough review of all programs to find reductions.

  If new revenues are needed we must find equitable and fair tax sources to fund necessary programs. Any tax proposals must include reductions in property taxes.

Education:

 We need to continue to upgrade facilities, reduce class size in lower grades, utilize benchmarks and multiple methods to evaluate student performance (beyond a single test score) and insure we retain quality teachers.

  We must reduce the dependence on property taxes to fund our school systems, by partially replacing with other revenue sources.

Employees and Business:

 We must balance employee needs (wages/benefits) with the concerns of small businesses (taxes/benefits costs) that provide the vast majority of new hires.

 We must emphasize skills training and generally upgrade the abilities of employees to compete for quality jobs in a changing employment market.

Transportation:

  We need to move traffic through Lake County more efficiently by expanding Routes 176, 45 and other key roads as well as widen major intersections on other surface roads. Long term we may need to look at Route 53 as an option to reduce congestion.

  We must expand public transportation throughout the metropolitan area, including the cross suburban commuter train.

Background:

I have owned a management consulting business for more than 25 years. Prior to that, I was employed with the Illinois Department of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities. My education includes a doctorate in psychology. I have been an adjunct professor at several area community colleges for more than thirty years. Spouse, Barbara (Staff Development Director for the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization), son, Aaron, (graduate student at the University of Chicago) and son, Jordan (undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin). Barrington area resident for more than 20 years