Rock Island Today

Bill Falwell insists the financial crisis now engulfing the City of Harvey are further confirmation for what he’s been saying all along.

“The closer decisions and power are moved to the people is always the best route to go in government,” Falwell told Rock Island Today. “This is why I have released my first proposed legislation, 'The Liberty Act,' which pushes all federal public agencies to the states and the remaining power to make laws of all other federal agencies back to the people’s Congress. This is in keeping with our U.S. Constitution and goes a long way toward eliminating the institutionalized corruption and money in government and our elections.”

The City of Harvey was recently forced to lay-off at least 30 police and firefighters after a court decision compelled city officials to make good on pension payments authorities are not able to afford and have been unable to adequately fund for the last decade. 

Even more pink slips could soon be coming, according to CBS.

“Higher taxes are impossible in Illinois,” said Falwell, set to take on U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) in the 17th Congressional District in November’s general election. “Higher real estate taxes have destroyed the real estate market except for the most wealthy who can afford lawyers like (House Speaker) Mike Madigan in their respective counties to appeal and win exceptions for their taxes. So many people are leaving Illinois because of our government that Illinois will likely have one congressional district subtracted from us in the 2022 elections.”

A real estate broker by trade, Falwell tells the story of having recently sold a relative’s home in Indiana where the market was so active he was able to secure an offer exceeding the original asking price by $10,000.

“This is not uncommon in the Indiana real estate market,” he added. “I ask you, what is so different between Illinois and Indiana? It is a rhetorical question and a Faustian bargain we have made in Illinois.”

Falwell has previously described his run for Springfield as more of a movement than simply a traditional political campaign.

“In 2016, more than 80 percent of Americans at one point or another cast votes for either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders,” he said. “That’s an indictment of the entire government system and tells you what people want is real change.”

The Galena native is also on record asserting that his campaign will be all about jobs, the economy and further aiding Trump in "draining the swamp."

The 17th Congressional District includes Rock Island, Peoria, Carroll, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, Mercer, Stephenson, Warren and Whiteside counties.