By State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)-
As I sit through the Special Session charade, the gears grind to a halt in Illinois: Downgraded to one notch above junk status. The subject of a national debate over state bankruptcy. And a signature away from another massive – and futile – tax hike.
Many wonder what the play will be for House Speaker Mike Madigan and the Chicago Machine in the end. What benefit really does he reap if he and his cronies preside over a bankrupt state after the 2018 election? Sure, they will get to redraw the election maps without interference after the 2020 census and secure their power structure for the next 10 years, but for what?
At some point, the modest reforms that have been recommended for our pension system, workers compensation laws, property taxes will not be sufficient to keep the state competitive. The state and a number of communities, especially Chicago, are on life support. Local pension funds are failing fast and/or eating up every new tax dollar, certain government entities especially CPS is borrowing at usury rates, and business and taxpayer migration out of the state continues unabated.
The horrific truth is that Illinois government has been working exactly as intended. Winning elections isn’t a chance to advance a set of principles. For decades, winning elections was a way to distribute favors to friends and political allies.
Whether it’s Irish stubbornness, blind ambition, or a descent into madness, Madigan is using all of his (considerable) political might to protect a political machine that was carefully constructed by politicians and powerful special interests. And, the machine doesn’t reform itself. The machine grows itself by distracting voters with glossy mail pieces and idiotic bills in public, so it can continue handing out favors in private.
Speaker Madigan doesn’t care that you are being taxed out of your homes, or are struggling with unemployment. He has spent years ignoring these problems, passing wildly unbalanced budgets, refusing to address the need for reform, and – ultimately – hollowing out Illinois’ middle class.
Still, the reform must happen. Higher taxes are not the solution, but the demise. Does he intend to do an about face on policy and be heralded as the savior after leading us to the precipice of bankruptcy, playing the part of the redeemed sinner ala biblical prodigal son?
We may find out Madigan’s end game very soon. But no matter what his play is, after all is said and done, the state will still need to rise from scorched earth.
It is more clear today than ever before: change is not going to come from Springfield. It has to come from you: the people who play by the rules and are getting screwed. You – collectively – have the numbers, the resources, and the principles to end this nonsense.
In 2018, ask yourself three questions:
- Who’s defending the status quo?
- Who’s challenging it?
- Which side do I want to be on?
In the end, your choices will determine the fate of our once great state.
