NW Illinois News

In an Oct. 23 guest column, Illinois State Representative Andrew Chesney (R—Dist. 89), said that state Democrats are plaguing Illinoisans with constant tax increases and poor fiscal management.

With Democrats having unfettered power over the state legislature for five decades, Chesney complained that the government's agenda doesn't have taxpayers' best interest in mind. 

"Many progressives would have you thinking the top of every agenda at every unit of government should be expanding abortion, socializing healthcare, or all about 'fairness,'" wrote Chesney, "All of this distracts from the truly unfair reality that the largest group of disenfranchised Illinoisans are beleaguered Illinois taxpayers."

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Many people have jumped ship and left Illinois throughout the last ten years, so much that the state will lose at least one congressional representative after the next remapping, according to Chesney. He said that Illinois holds the "ominous position" of being one of the only states in the U.S. at risk of losing two representatives. 

The representative blames Democrats in the Illinois House for stalling work by the Special Investigating Committee whom are seeking answers regarding the accusations bribery by House Speaker Michael Madigan. 

"No meetings will occur of the Special Investigating Committee until 'after the election,'" said Chesney, "But remember, these office holders are 'working for you'."

Majority Democrats have controlled the Illinois House since 1996, with property taxes rate cuts having remained on the back burner since they took control. 

Chensey said Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker has brought discussions of pension reform to a halt, with state and local combined pension debts skyrocketing to over $400 billion. 

"[That debt] will soon consume the majority of nearly every city and village's property tax collections," said Chesney. 

"No talk of cuts. No talk of reforms. Totally off the table, according to Pritzker. Press briefings of daily positivity rates and orchestrated stumbling from crisis to crisis shields waste with haste," said Chesney.

The State of Illinois is at risk of slipping into junk bond status ratings from credit agencies, further separating the possibility of financial relief through borrowing from reality.

"[This will] cost taxpayers even more money in the long run," said Chesney. 

He feels the governor should be holding daily press conferences with topics of equal credence. 

"We can adhere to best practices recommended by our local health officials. We can mourn the nearly 10,000 Illinoisans we have lost with COVID. Without drawing a false equivalency, we can also be 'angry as all-hell' about the 170,000 Illinois ex-patriates we have lost from mismanagement of a once great state," said Chesney.