Campaign Info

• Position being sought: State House, 37th District
• Party: Republican
• Address: District Office: 19201 S. La Grange Road, Mokena, IL 60448
• Phone: 708-479-4200
• E-mail: rkosel@ilga.gov
• Website: www.kosel.net

Personal Info

• Family: Married to Dr. Al Kosel, three adult children, nine grandchildren.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in education, Western Illinois University
• Previous elected or appointed offices: Lincoln-Way Board of Education (President, Vice President, Secretary); State Representative District 38; State Representative District 81

Candidate Questions

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

The first and most important priority is to get this state back on strong fiscal footing.  Encourage job growth and pay back bills.

What should first be done by the state to keep businesses that have strongly voiced the possibility of leaving, such as CME and Sears?

Every business should have the same tax breaks that Sears and CME received. We should roll back the income tax increase and streamline the regulatory processes that hamper growth.

What can be done to help College Illinois?

The costs should be reduced and brought in line with expenditures.  There is new leadership which should help turn things around, but the system must become more transparent. I support legislation proposed to do just that.

What should the government do to create more jobs?

Government cannot create jobs but it can make the atmosphere better so business can create jobs including rolling back of the income tax increase and streamline regulations. Small business needs strong support to prosper.

What are your philosophies on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion, and what should government’s role in those issues?

I believe marriage is between a man and a women and I have a strong pro life voting record.

Do you support a gaming bill that would increase the number of casinos or othergambling venues in Illinois? Should a casino be built in Chicago?

I did not support the last "mega" gambling bill that passed the legislature in 2011. I believe that there are some provisions of a casino in Chicago that make sense, but I would have to see the details before I am willing to sign on to such an idea.  

Would the Chicago casino have only one location, would it be owned by the city, would it pay its fair share as other casinos do, and would it have a comparable number of gaming stations or be a super casino?  All these thing would have to be answered.

What do you suggest for property tax relief?

There are a host of good and bad ideas that have been advanced in the general assembly in recent weeks.   I have sponsored several and supported many more that will stabilize property tax and provide increase protection to seniors and the disabled.  I will not support legislation that gives false hope of frozen tax costs.  We have had enough shams in the state of Illinois we do not need another.

Should the state consider consolidating school districts? What would be the best way to accomplish this in your legislative district?

We should look to consolidate all government if it provides economies and does not diminish local control.  The path to accomplish this must include a voice of the citizens through the polling place and public comment.  Our citizens have great ideas on how to saving tax dollars.

Should the state legalize marijuana?

I would support the legalizing of marijuana only for medical purposes and only when it is dispensed like all other prescription medications.

Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program?

I would support the elimination of the program.

Who are your political heroes and why?

Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan both showed commitment to the American dream and led the country on a path of moral courage under totally different conditions. The late George Sangmeister has also been a elected official that always worked for the good of the area and someone I have admired for years.