Metro East Sun

Illinois State House District 112th representative candidate Jennifer Korte laments the rising prices of groceries in the state.

She noted the following big price difference in merely one pr two years: 18 Eggs 2021: $1.91 2022: $4.56, red onion 2021 $.89/lb 2022: $1.88lb, off-brand bacon (48oz) 2020 $11.98 2022: $17.28 Bread 2020 $1.32 2022 $1.98 and decried the hike. 

“I was looking at my grocery order history...With the increase in food prices, it is no wonder why families and businesses are having a difficult time making ends meet," Korte said. "I have seen countless restaurants saying they need to increase prices due to food prices going up. Enough is enough. It is time for a change.”

Consumers in Illinois are now spending $522 more for the same grocery items over last year. Home food prices increased 12.2% from June 2021 to June 2022. Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs cost $115 more this year, and cereals and bakery products cost $75 more this year than the previous. Illinoisans spent $59 more when they purchased fruits and vegetables this year, $58 higher on non-alcoholic beverages, and $54 more on dairy.

This price hike outweighs the savings from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's suspension of the 1% grocery tax, which he has forced grocers to advertise. The suspension will save consumers $50 based on late July prices. Notably, Illinois is one of only 13 states to tax groceries in the first place. 

These economic woes are not going away anytime soon, as the nation faces a trade-off between high inflation and low unemployment. To make matters worse, public-sector unions are pushing a constitutional amendment that would cement their power in the state constitution and increase the average property tax bill by $2,100 in order to pay for their demands, Illinois Policy reported.

Korte, a conservative reformer defeated Joe Hackler in the Republican primary for the 112th House District. She received 67.2% votes to Hackler’s 32.8% according to Ballotpedia. In response to her victory, she mentioned that “It is a victory for grassroots conservatives." Korte is a stay-at-home mom who previously worked as a social worker at Barnes-Jewish Hospital until 2005. Korte won her race despite her opponent having an estimated $200,000 in financial backing from House minority leader Jim Durkin. In the fall, she will face incumbent Democrat Katie Stuart. 

Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey endorsed Korte in the Republican primary for State Representative in the 112th District, which encompasses parts of Madison and St. Clair counties. Bailey said, “She is the only candidate in this race who will stand up for you against the corrupt, career politicians bankrupting our state.” Korte compared herself to Bailey because she too is running against the establishment in the primary and a well-funded Democrat in the general. She said, “I will not be a shill for political insiders who are content with the status quo. I am running to change Springfield not to be changed by the insiders and influence peddlers.”