Metro East Sun

One-party political power is polluting Illinois, according to Michael Babcock.

The Bethalto Republican seeking the seat in the 111th District being vacated by Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), who has decided not to seek re-election, responded to a recent Truth in Accounting survey, which ranked Illinois 49th in the United States for tax burden.

“Illinois residents put their trust in the politicians they elect to go to Springfield and do what is right for their families, communities and state,” Babcock told the Metro East Sun of the ranking that comes after several years of single-party control by the Illinois Democratic Party.

“However, the majority of Illinois' elected officials have betrayed their voters by pledging their allegiance to (House Speaker) Mike Madigan and his Chicago Machine,” Babcock said. “Speaker Madigan has been building his regime for years at the taxpayers’ expense and the debt his leadership has left proves the detriment of Democrat control in Illinois.”

With a graph to back up the facts, researchers from the nonprofit organization's survey found the average Illinois taxpayer owes $50,400, based on 2016 government financial records, and Illinois has not nearly enough resources available to cover the state's estimated $235.9 billion in liabilities.

“As the graph profoundly states, 45 years of one-party rule in Illinois has only lead us to destruction,” Babcock said. “Everyone in the Metro East area already knows what this graph describes. A graph is unnecessary to show the mess Speaker Madigan has our state in.”

The House hopeful listed a few reasons for the low ranking, saying Illinois has a reputation of being the most unfriendly state to new and current businesses.

“Unless you are an insider friend of Mike Madigan, you are overtaxed and over-regulated to the point of closure or employee cutbacks,” Babcock said. Our friends and families have been forced to move out of state to find good paying jobs because of the pay-to-play system. This system has set our residents and their families up for failure.”

The insurance firm owner said the recent survey should be significant all Illinois citizens.

“In order to ensure prosperity and a future where citizens can flourish in the Metro East, it is imperative that we send legislators to Springfield that will not be beholden to Mike Madigan rather to the citizens that live within their respective districts,” Babcock said, adding there is only one way to stop the one-party control. “Elect representation that is not beholden to Mike Madigan and the Chicago Machine.”