Gubernatorial hopeful Jim Oberweis met with NIU College Republicans Wednesday in the Holmes Student Center to discuss his agendas and problems with the current state administration he hopes to fix if elected.

Among the topics of discussion were Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration, economic expansion and adding more jobs in Illinois.

Oberweis feels corruption in current and former administrations is a problem Illinois has been dealing with for too long.

“Four previous Illinois governors have either been indicted or served time for corruption,” Oberweis said. “I believe that the current administration is corrupt and Gov. Blagojevich may be well on his way to becoming the fifth.”

Others feel corruption is a widespread problem and and one that affects every administration.

“I believe every administration has problems,” said Donna Dalton , president of NIU College Democrats and a senior political science major. “Changes can be made, and I’m sure any problems that have arisen in that administration have been paid special attention to.”

Campaign contributions from businesses working hand-in-hand with the state are partly to blame for corrupt behavior.

“Businesses making contributions to the state have been receiving lucrative contracts,” Oberweis said. “I will put a stop to public corruption by not accepting any campaign contributions from those businesses who work collectively with the state.”

In recent years, Illinois has lost hundreds of jobs to nearby states caused by an excess of welfare fraud and the current executive order, which aims to speed along foreign immigrants’ integration into society.

“Welfare fraud is keeping some good businesses out of Illinois,” Oberweis said. “I have proposed ending the current executive order because it inflates the cost of road and building construction, and that has driven some businesses away from Illinois.”

Oberweis assured Illinoisans that, if elected, expenses will not overlap revenues, a problem the current administration is facing.

Some people aren’t satisfied with the progress Blagojevich and his administration have made.

“I think our current governor is running an ineffective administration,” said Andrew Nelms, former chairman of NIU College Republicans and senior history major. “He said he would change the way business was conducted in Springfield and he has failed to do so.”

Oberweis has well documented success in the business world and is the chairman of Oberweis Dairy. He feels that experience will allow him to oversee a balanced state budget.

Primary elections will be held March 21 and many people feel that a weak Democratic leadership will lead to a shift in the balance of power.

“Blagojevich hasn’t been leading the state,” Nelms said. “Lots of people see that as a problem and they are looking for better leadership, I believe they will turn to Republicans for that leadership.”