Phil Wood
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile*
Leans Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Phil Wood
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, KY, PhD, 2021
Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL, DMin, 2001
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, MA, 2014
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Wayside Cross Ministries, Aurora, IL, Director, Fellowship Church of Carol Stream
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Illinois Family Action
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Peter Roskam (2008)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Illinois Family Institute Voter Guide
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I do not believe there are exceptions to allow for the murder of a baby. I imagine if it ever came down to it, which I understand basically never happens, that if the choice to perform a life-saving procedure resulted in the death of the baby, there is ethical support for preserving the mother's life first, though all efforts should be made to keep the baby alive as well. I also understand how hard of a decision that would be for the mother. In the instances of rape and incest, the mother has been already terribly victimized. In my work as a professional counselor, I have observed how often mothers are traumatized following abortions. Putting a mother in a situation where she feels a need to kill her own baby further victimizes her and multiples the perpetrators impact. It is still her baby that she is killing. I have also met individuals who understood they were the product of rape and incest, yet they were very glad to be alive.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
While I am not opposed to the fair tax, I don't like the idea of giving the federal government another tax stream. More realistic ideas include removing brackets and most deductions, allowing everyone to pay the same percentage. I believe this should go for corporations, too, making their tax rate competitive with the rest of the world. One way to assist in addressing the health care crisis is to have no limits on HSAs. Families, especially farmers, should be able to pass on their inheritance without burdensome taxes. Also, tax cuts should be paired with real time spending reductions.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
The establishment clause prohibits all levels of government from either advancing or inhibiting religion. It separates church from state, but not religion from politics or public life. Individual citizens are free to bring their religious convictions into the public arena. As a senior pastor for many years, I see no conflict no bringing my moral and religious convictions to Washington. In fact, it is needed now more than ever.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Proven vaccines have been incredible blessings to people around the world for many years when they truly provide immunity. While there are some individuals who do not do well with vaccines or have different opinions or convictions, and that should be respected, it is a shame when someone gets a disease that could have been prevented. I do not believe the government should be forcing vaccines upon individuals or punishing those who do not receive it.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
I support Israel and respect their right to protect their citizens and nation.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
China wants to take over the world.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Protecting our borders is a first line defense.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
US Immigration Law already provides 'sanctuary' for those truly seeking asylum. That system is being abused by a lack of proper enforcement and the overwhelming flood of illegal immigrants allowed to come in and be paroled. They seldom show up for later court dates. They should remain in any neutral country where they may find themselves while their applications are processed and considered. So-called sanctuary cities are nothing more than political scoff-laws.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only parents and children of American citizens and those needed to fill specific jobs where there is a proven lack of qualified and appropriate applicants from the U.S. There can also be a limited (capped) amount of well-vetted immigrants generally through a lottery system so long as they have no criminal record and can prove that they can either support themselves or provide proof of full economic support from family already here in the US.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am an Evangelical Christian with strong family values that support the sanctity of life, traditional family values, and the freedom of parents to raise their children and instill their values to them without undue interference.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Absentee ballots only allowed when the voter is providentially hindered from being able to participate on election day.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I am of the persuasion there is only one race, the Human Race. Nevertheless, as long as their is hatred and hate groups that seek to attack others, both physically and verbally, there are going to be threats to domestic peace. The south and west side of Chicago, neighborhoods not far from where I live, are examples of how violence undermines the safety and security of everyone. In the Chicago area, the violence is not limited to the inner city, but has spread to the suburbs as perpetrators, with little respect for the lives of others, attack and steal. We need to address hatred and violence in all forms.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Daily Herald Candidate Questionnaire submitted 4/11/22
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I take a strong stand in protecting 2nd Amendment Rights.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
I currently work in the mental health field at a government agency which works closely with the local police departments. It is my observation that many resources are currently available but often the individuals involved in criminal behavior are not willing to access them. Similarly, some of the police officers are the most effective mental health counselors I have witnessed. With community policing, they often have an established and trusting relationships with the client.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment protects this right. Some, such as felons, may forfeit this right, but there is no reason why law abiding United States citizens should be restricted in the right to own guns.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
I am not sure why firearm dealers should be singled out, unless they have done something wrong. An auto dealer would not be culpable if someone bought a car and then crashed it into someone else's vehicle.
