Metro East Sun

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) encourages the inflation rate to be addressed to keep the burden off Illinoisans.

Bailey, who won the six-way race to face Gov. J.B. Pritzker this fall said the governor has no idea how Illinoisans are hurt by the rising cost of goods, 

"You know inflation is bad when newspapers are writing stories about where to go to find inexpensive meals," Bailey said. "Unfortunately, we are seeing stories like this all across the state. It is time to take the issue of inflation seriously. We should be in Springfield right now working on a plan to help working families better afford to pay for the things they need to keep their households going. The combination of high taxes and high inflation is hitting Illinois families hard this summer. JB Pritzker has never had to bargain hunt in his entire life, and he has no idea the challenges so many in Illinois are facing. We need new and better leadership, and we need it now."

A recent Belleville News-Democrat article noted questions about affordability in food price increases — as tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics — including restaurant meal prices, up 7.7% over the past year, and grocery prices, up 12.2%. With these increases, consumers are left puzzled about their financial capability to purchase these needs. 

"While restaurant meals are not accessible to everyone, there are some metro-east joints where prices are more budget-friendly – at one, you can get a chimichanga for $6, and another serves a gyro for less than $5.50. Here’s five restaurants in southwest Illinois where you can get a meal for $10 or less, before taxes and tip. Menu information and prices are from each business’ website," the story reads.

The average Illinois household will spend $522 more annually due to rising food prices, according to Illinois Policy. Meat, fish and eggs have been the food groups that have been most impacted by food inflation.

The average worker in Illinois required a salary boost of $5,920 over the past year to keep up with inflation; instead, they received a raise of 3,057. Nevertheless, the actual wage loss is $2,900 because of inflation. Illinois residents are paying $4,675 more this year than they did last year for the same products and services. There are not much Illinoisans can do to prevent inflation, which reached 9.1% in June.