Rock Island Today

Brandi McGuire, Republican candidate for the Illinois House seat in District 72, expressed her dismay Thursday at a proposed state Senate Democratic-led education funding bill, which the Illinois State Board of Education said Wednesday would benefit Chicago Public Schools at expense of other school districts.

"As a parent of four school-aged children, I ask, why should my and our children be punished by politicians who want to benefit their own school district," McGuire said. "Why should we as parents and taxpayers bailout the Chicago Public Schools at the expense of our children's schools?"

McGuire reminded citizens that the Illinois school system should benefit all students, not just those attending Chicago schools. 

Gov. Bruce Rauner had asked for an increase in education funding, however, the Democratic members of the General Assembly have proposed a $350 million bailout for the Chicago school district and threatened to stall on education legislation.

McGuire also spoke of the crushing tax burden on families and businesses in Illinois. The rising taxes and increasing regulations are driving businesses and workers to other states. She said that services for children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities are not being funded while the politicians in Springfield push for higher taxes.

"Furthermore, yesterday the Illinois Department of Revenue released the impact to Illinois of the progressive income tax plan put forth by again, Illinois Democratic leadership, over the next four years," McGuire said. "This tax increase would result in the loss of 20,000 private sector jobs, a loss of 43,000 people leaving for other states and $1.9 billion loss in Gross Domestic Product.

"Please join me in saying to the establishment politicians that we the parents, business owners and the rest of the citizens of District 72 have had enough, and we say no more to failed and selfish policies," McGuire said.