North Cook News

Several reports, including the June employment numbers and census, have confirmed that Illinois residents -- ranging from prime working age adults to millennials -- are leaving or are planning to leave the state. 

Mel Thillens, state senate candidate for District 28, believes that the situation is regrettable in light of all the great resources available in Illinois. 

“It’s unfortunate that so many people are leaving our state for better opportunities elsewhere,” Thillens recently told North Cook News. “Illinois should be one of the best states in the country. We have a great city, suburbs and rural areas. This trend exists among other age demographics as well. Illinois exports more college students than any state in the country except New Jersey. Everyone knows a retiree that is leaving our state to avoid the skyrocketing property taxes that are essentially a second mortgage.”

Residents are not the only population leaving the state. Businesses like John Deere are laying off hundreds of workers or leaving the state entirely. The cause of this is complex, but Thillens attributes it to unfriendly business policies. The state ranks as the worst for business friendliness in the Midwest. Thillens vows to fight to keep businesses in the state. 

“As a business owner, I see why businesses are leaving our state,” Thillens said. “The over-taxation and over-regulation make it difficult to do business here. Rather than leave Illinois, I’ve decided to stay and fight the status quo that has put Illinois in this situation.”

Part of the status quo that has concerned many voters is their burden of paying for pensions. A recent report suggests that Illinois taxpayers will be forced to contribute an extra $320 million to the State Employees’ Retirement System in 2018.

This is a problem, according to Thillens. 

“Illinois has a pension crisis,” he said. “Our unfunded pension liability is currently $111 billion. We can’t keep piling pension obligations onto taxpayers. We must reform our pension system in Illinois. Right now, about 25 percent of our total budget goes to pensions. These obligations mean that we can’t adequately fund schools and social services.”

Thillens offers a solution to alleviate the burden on tax payers and place the responsibility on pensioners.

“I prefer a 401k style plan moving forward,” he said. “Under this plan, at a specific date in the future, we would switch from our current system to the 401k style plan. We must pay our current obligations for work already completed. We can’t rescind our promises, but we must move in a different direction moving forward.” 

Moving in a different direction from the path well trodden may help the state. Part of the new direction could include term limits, which many candidates and residents support. Thillens has a history of supporting term limits and recently signed a pledge to support it on the legislative floor, if he gets elected. The business owner believes that House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have overstayed their welcome and change has to happen.

“Mike Madigan was first elected the year I was born,” Thillens recently told North Cook News. “I’m 44 years old. Together, Madigan and Cullerton have been in the state legislature for more than 80 years. These politicians have made careers out of overseeing the destruction of Illinois. I’m not going to make a career out of this. We need a new path forward in Illinois. Term limits are an important and necessary step in the right direction.” 

He concludes by calling for his fellow candidates and current leaders (and incumbents) in Springfield to come together and stand for change.

“I’m calling for Republicans and Democrats alike to come together to support term limits,” Thillens said. “I call on my opponent, State Sen. Laura Murphy, to reject her allies, Mike Madigan and John Cullerton, and support term limits for all state legislators.”