Rock Island Today

Savanna Mayor and state House candidate Tony McCombie has looked at the May unemployment numbers for Illinois and finds them wanting. 

The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.4 percent, down from 6.6 percent in April, but it is still the highest rate among the Midwest and second highest in the nation, with Alaska having a worse number. The primary reason the unemployment rate fell was because approximately 9,100 unemployed Illinoisans dropped out of the workforce. The state also had a net loss of 2,500 jobs.

McCombie, who is running for House District 71, is frustrated by the lack of care and concern from politicians.

“Politicians in office continue to manipulate the facts to their benefit,” McCombie told Rock Island Today. “A smaller workforce in Illinois has nothing to do with increased efficiencies; it has to do with businesses leaving the state and development in Illinois decreasing.  The shutdown of Exelon in Cordova is a real threat to District 71, and those in office need to get back to work and solve the real problems that will cripple us beyond repair!"

She reflects what many in the state are expressing: disappointment. Many in the state are torn between who to chastise: House Speaker Michael Madigan or Gov. Bruce Rauner. 

Madigan has been facing criticism for canceling at least three General Assembly sessions back to back while proposing ineffective proposals and playing hardball with the governor. One such article suggested that Madigan’s goal was to allegedly force Rauner to veto an ineffective budget bill and then using that veto as leverage against the governor.

McCombie echoes that sentiment, insisting that it is Madigan who is gaming the voters.

“In my opinion, Madigan will continue to lead the state to ruin,” McCombie said. “His record and those that continue to vote for him as the speaker validate his movement. The residents in District 71 are over the status quo and cannot take on any more pain."

McCombie asserts that voters in Springfield are in support of change and their votes for her in the upcoming November elections will be validation of that support.

“We are all over the blame game and deserve a representative that will work on a resolution,” the mayor said. She asserts that politicians are not representing those they vowed to represent.

On the campaign trail, McCombie hears the chorus for change as she is speaking to voters at their doors, at events and at parades. She sees their anguish and anxiety.

“We continue to meet residents who are broken,” McCombie said. “They are discouraged and feel defeated with no hope for our future. The lack of a budget is the biggest complaint, but people know that a balanced budget is a small piece of a bigger picture. They understand that without true reform on spending and taxation we will never get out of the hole.”

Among one of the primary concerns from voters is education. Many parents and students are uncertain of their future. The budget impasse has affected all levels of learning, from elementary to universities. Many may have to shutter their doors due to the lack of funding from the state.

“I have also heard from educators and parents about their concerns that school will not open in the fall,” McCombie said. “People are more knowledgeable than legislators think and know that unfunded pensions, mandates and poor funding formulas have brought us to this place. Educating our youth is a great platform to run on, but schools continue to be short changed and curriculum is designed around testing.”

McCombie believes that education is more than just a platform: it is a promise. She wants the children of Illinois and their future needs to become a priority. Not a tag line, but a priority.