Metro East Sun

Mike Babcock’s campaign for the Illinois House is gaining traction.

“We really just got started about a month ago,” Babcock told the Metro East Sun. “In that time, I’ve just been trying to reach as many people as possible and let them know who I am and what I plan to do.”

Babcock’s message is simple: that his opponent, Democrat Daniel Beiser, at the post since 2004, is part of the spending-happy group that got the state in such financial circumstances in the first place.

His proof is the $7 billion-plus -- and growing -- annual state budget deficit, and the billions more in outstanding bills and unmet financial obligations.

Babcock said the last Illinois budget that was passed increased the tax liability of families in his district by $1,000. He said that’s a number that’s unsustainable over time.

“That’s two weeks of pay for a good number of the people in my district,” he said. “We want everybody to know what that number is, and that the money that they’re sending to Springfield is not being managed very well.”

Babcock said his campaign’s major work right now involves signing up volunteers and fundraising. He said he plans to self-fund his campaign, though he would welcome support from the state party organization.

Babcock said once the campaign goes into full gear, he will work on making in-person visits, phone calls and sending printed materials to the potential constituents of his district. He said all of those vehicles will hopefully get out the word that he is a valid alternative running in this year’s race.

Babcock, who lives in Bethalto and whose financial consulting business is based in Glen Carbon, is not without political experience. In fact, he has been the Wood River Township supervisor after winning the post eight years ago.

“I wanted to provide an environment where the taxpayers don’t have to put in more and more money every year,” he said. 

As the supervisor, Babcock immediately cut the budget by $70,000 by not replacing retiring employees and finding other ways to cut costs. He said it resulted in a 27 percent surplus and a rare township district tax rate decrease.

“I made a conscious effort to watch every dime spent in the township,” he said.

Babcock said he also increased expectations for township employees.

“The same way I fought in the township, I will fight for the residents of the district,” he said.