NW Illinois News

Representative Tom Demmer added his name to two ballots: one for his current role and to become the state’s treasurer.

Demmer sat down with other candidates during a Flag Day event.

“I was glad to start the day at breakfast for my friend and colleague Rep. Dan Swanson, and got to see Sen. Neil Anderson, and candidates Esther Joy King and Mike Thoms too,” Demmer wrote on a Facebook post.

Demmer is running for State Treasurer. He is running unopposed and will take on incumbent Treasurer Michael Frerichs in November.

Ballotpedia wrote that Demmer took to office in 2013. His term is expected to end in January 2023.

“Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians’ answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending,” Demmer said in a statement to Illinois Newsroom regarding running for treasurer. “We know Springfield politicians won’t change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer.  As treasurer, I’ll be on the side of Illinois families working to protect their hard-earned dollars and shining a light on how our tax dollars are spent.”

He recently attended an event sponsored by the McDonough County Republicans. The event was a Lincoln Day Dinner.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the upcoming 2023 Fiscal Year budget. It said there will be a six-month freeze of the state’s gas tax.

“This budget reflects our administration’s continued support for pathways of learning because we know access to education can change the trajectory of a student’s life, families’ lives, and their communities,” Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said in a release. “We are building on our historic investments in education by increasing funding and support that will uplift young people from their earliest moments in school. From our nation-leading early childhood education efforts to funding MAP grants for nearly 25,000 additional students, we’re aiming high and setting our sights on equitable, affordable education for all."

In recent months, Demmer has also criticized the 2022-2023 budget.

“The budget that Pritzker is signing today grows state spending by 10% while revenues are actually declining by 5%,” Demmer posted on Facebook. “That is neither responsible nor sustainable. Just a year and a half ago, Pritzker was spending millions to convince Illinois voters to approve his $3.5 billion tax hike — threatening them with draconian cuts or across-the-board tax hikes if they didn’t approve.”