Darren Bailey
Darren Bailey
Darren Bailey has long been seeking answers to the questions everyone else now seems to be asking.
“Whenever I’m in a forum with my Democratic opponent, I question her about how anyone could ever be supportive of any current plan to raise taxes when that is the very reason so many people are now fleeing Illinois," Bailey told SE Illinois News. "It’s completely selfish to be thinking that way and not at all [be] considerate of the future ... of our children.”
A growing number of critics seem to agree with Bailey, particularly after a new Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) report uncovered details of how the latest push to raise taxes comes as state taxpayers are saddled already with $100 million in wasteful government spending.
Cynthia Given
Among the line items are $13.1 million allocated for an arts council chaired by the wife of longtime Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan and pork projects that include $10 million to rehabilitate Chicago’s privately owned Uptown Theatre, IPI states.
In addition, Illinois homeowners pay the second-highest property tax rates in the country. Illinois residents pay among the highest combined tax burdens in the country.
“We have to be able to identify what‘s happening and share that with voters,” said Bailey, running against Democrat Cynthia Given in the 109th District. “I actually believe there’s a lot more waste than that, but in any case, we need to make voters aware.”
As it is, Illinois has had four straight years of population decline. A recent Center for State Policy and Leadership/NPR Illinois survey revealed that more than half of voters polled admit they dream of being able to call some other place home.
“The days of lawmakers sitting in Springfield and not addressing core issues are over,” Bailey said. “If we elect the right people, soon we will be on a path to changing the things we need and have to in order to move forward for the good of the state.”
The 109th House District includes Clay, Edwards, Effingham, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.
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