SE Illinois News

GOP state House candidate Darren Bailey insists that lawmakers only need look in the mirror for a full view of what Illinois has regrettably become.

“The state is now just a shell of itself and all the damage has been self-inflicted,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “Chicago has been completely mismanaged and that’s why taxes are so high. Everything is our own doing because lawmakers refuse to truly manage, and are just looking to milk the taxpayer.”

Bailey said he isn’t surprised that residents are now fighting back, as demonstrated by new U.S. Census Bureau data that shows that Chicago lost population for the third straight year, with 3,825 residents fleeing the city in 2017 for what they view as greener pastures.

The downward spiral has some wondering just how long the state might be able to maintain its status as the country’s third largest city over Houston, which grew by 8,235 residents over the same period shown in the U.S. Census Bureau data.

Chicago is the only one of the country’s five largest cities that lost population in 2017.

“It’s the combination of the tax increases and lack of job opportunities,” said Bailey, who is running against Democrat Cynthia Given of Olney in the 109th House District. “People are... going where they can live cheaper. I stand amazed [that] lawmakers are driving people out of this state at the rate that they are.”

Bailey said that having any chance of slowing the trend lies in fiscal responsibility and tax reform.

“We have to cut the budget,” he said. “I was disappointed to see... [that] we are funding the Obama Library as lucratively as we are. As far as business goes, we have to address worker’s compensation and tort reform. We have to make ourselves more business friendly.”

Once in Springfield, Bailey said he plans to align himself with more people who share his views to get the results he’s convinced the state so desperately needs.

“I expect to dig up more facts and educate the people of District 109 on how we can change things together,” he said. "We need to work together to rebuild and restore Illinois.”