NW Illinois News

Freshmen Illinois state Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) will co-host a “Pizza and Politics” gathering at the Grove Community Center at Pinecrest in Mt. Morris on Sept. 25, beginning at 5 pm.

“Continuing our Pizza and Politics events provides an important opportunity this fall to hear from area residents,” Chesney said in a press release. “Even if you don’t have a specific concern, this is a good opportunity to learn more about legislative actions and an outlook on what’s to come with our new governor and many important issues for the state to resolve.”

Chesney will be joined at the podium by Mt. Morris Village President Dan Elsasser, Mt. Morris Village Clerk Paula Diehl and area residents Rob and Karen Urish. Admission for the event is free and all are encouraged to attend.

Since arriving in Springfield, Chesney has made tax reform one of his signature issues. He recently spoke out against the state’s new motor fuel tax, raised vehicle registration fees and cigarette and parking taxes, all of which were enacted as part of the new state budget last summer.

“Unaffordable pensions remain ignored, billions in unpaid bills still exist and property taxes remain totally out of control,” Chesney posted on his website. “Little concessions were made by the Democratic super-majorities to spur job creation or population growth. None of this has changed with these new taxes and fees, and none of it will change under this leadership.”

Chesney also expressed his outrage that legislators voted to increase the motor fuel tax on the same day they approved a pay raise for themselves.

“Considering how far in debt we are, we should spend a lot less than we bring in and apply the difference to these root-cause problems such as unaffordable pensions, unpaid bills and soaring property taxes,” he wrote. “If we do that, I am confident private industry will come back to our state and help grow Illinois out of this mess.”