After state House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-District 22) earlier this week led his fellow Democrats in passing a budget for Illinois that was unbalanced by more than $7 billion and raises taxes for the average family by 47 percent, or $1,000, Brandi McGuire, a candidate for Illinois Representative District 72, called on voters to "say no to politics as usual in Springfield."
“I am running for state Representative because too many of us are getting hurt and ignored by the state government we finance,” McGuire said.
In February, McGuire signed a “Contract With Illinois Families," vowing to oppose all new taxes if she is elected.
A mother of four, McGuire said she understands that additional taxes will translate into less money to pay for children’s needs, such as groceries, education and clothing.
“As I talk to families, seniors, business owners, nonprofit directors and college students throughout Rock Island County, I hear their concerns about high taxes, loss of job opportunities to other states, and a school system that does not meet the needs of children and those with disabilities,” McGuire said. “We are tired of being used, ignored, and tired of this continuing practice of asking us to pay more and more for a state government that does not provide the services that we need and some legislators that do not do the work we elected them to do.”
The tax hike called for in the proposed budget is in addition to recently raised property taxes in Rock Island County.
The proposed budget passed by the House on Wednesday by a vote of 63-53 still must clear the Senate. Even then, Gov. Bruce Rauner has already said he will not sign it.
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