Jessica Tucker, the Republican challenger for state House in District 18, recently responded to incumbent state Rep. Robyn Gabel's (D-Evanston) assertion that Gov. Bruce Rauner was to blame for Illinois' fiscal woes.
Tucker pointed out that although the incumbents blame the governor, the same lawmakers held the majority for 30 years while the state's finances spiraled downward. When they enacted a temporary tax hike, they told constituents the additional revenue would pay down the $10 billion backlog of unpaid bills. Despite collecting an additional $31.5 billion in income taxes, only $2 billion of those bills were paid.
Jessica Tucker
In addition to the legislature's failure to pay the bill backlog, unfunded pension liabilities soared and the state's credit rating dropped. Property taxes continued to rise, driving businesses and workers to other states where the legal and economic climate was business-friendly.
Tucker also pointed out that Gabel is against term limits and independent mapping, which a majority of voters favor, and voted against a property tax freeze. Gabel also voted in favor of the unbalanced budget presented by House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
"Isn’t working on putting our fiscal house in order more important than wasting time assigning fault?" Tucker said. "My answer: 'Why ask who’s fault? There is enough fault to go around -- and, frankly, this just continues the partisan blame game and divisiveness, and solves nothing.'”
Instead of continuing to point fingers, Tucker went on to encourage voters to choose candidates willing to make changes in Springfield. The Illinois general election will be held Nov. 8.
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