Rich Morthland: State Representative in the 71st District

EAST MOLINE, IL – Rich Morthland is the Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He has represented District 71 since 2011. The Prairie Advocate News interviewed Morthland on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at his campaign office in East Moline. The complete video interview may be viewed below.

Morthland is a farmer, college professor, and former County Board member in Rock Island County, Illinois.

“I know how to reach across the aisle in order to get things done,” Morthland said. “I was the only Republican on the Rock Island County Board - I know how to work with a Democrat majority.”

Morthland has a BA in Communications from St. Ambrose University, and a master’s degree in a communication-related field earned in Denver, Colorado.

Morthland is a member of the Black Hawk College Speakers Bureau and the Farm Bureau.

As a freshman representative, Morthland’s committee assignments in the 2011-2012 legislative session include Adoption Reform, Appropriations-Higher Education, Cities & Villages, Counties & Townships, Higher Education, Public Utilities, and Veterans’ Affairs.

Morthland is opposed to the creation of new taxes in Illinois and an increase of any income taxes.

Rep. Morthland’s biggest benefactors to date are:

Patricia Morthland - $13,625.00

John Deere & Co. - $8,000.00

MidAmerican Energy - $7,500.00

Ameren - $3,500.00

Dale Reisenbigler - $2,500.00

Altria - $2,000.00

Rock Island Co. Republican Central Comm. - $2,000.00

(PA photo/Tom Kocal)

The Prairie Advocate News appreciates the opportunity to interview the candidates during this busy campaign season. To date, video interviews with State Senator Mike Jacobs, State Representative Rich Morthland, and his opponent, Mike Smiddy, may be viewed at www.pacc-news.com. Plans are to add video interviews with Sen. Jacobs’ opponent Bill Albrecht, and for U.S. Congressman Bobby Schilling and his opponent, Cheri Bustos, before Friday, October 26. It is the wish of The Prairie Advocate News to offer these side-by-side, apples with apples, face-to-face comparisons of the candidates and their views on local, state and federal issues.