Rock Island Today

Illinois' economy is in trouble, leading many business owners to wonder what the future holds if they stay in the state, and Bill Fawell, the Galena Republican running in the 17th Congressional District, believes that they are right to be worried.

"Illinois is in trouble," Fawell, who is challenging Democrat U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos of Moline in November, told Rock Island Today. "Taxes are killing Illinois, specifically real estate taxes and, for businesses, workman's comp. They have stolen the equity and life savings of every Illinoisan who had any equity in their home. They have put out the sign to business: 'Go Somewhere Else.'"

Chief Executive magazine recently ranked Illinois 48th on a listing of states where businesses want to be, a shocking reality that all too many residents are coming to recognize.

Bill Fawell

"The only thing left for people is to either leave at a loss or at best break even and move to Texas or Tennessee or Iowa, Wisconsin or Indiana; the same holds true for business," Fawell said. "This is not my opinion; it is a fact. Go to any other state and their real estate business is booming, people are working, building. Go to Indiana, Wisconsin or Iowa and there are jobs ... but not in Illinois."

What makes the situation worse is the fact that corruption runs deep in the state of Illinois, making it difficult for businesses and the little guy to get ahead, Fawell said.

"Leadership is fully bought and paid for by public unions and corruption; our governor has handled things so badly he could only get elected if he focused solely upon painting (Democrat gubernatorial candidate J.B.) Pritzker as a tool of (Mike) Madigan, but (Gov. Bruce) Rauner is not focused and his staff is not cognizant," Fawell said.

Fawell said he is committed to changing the system from the inside out if he is elected.

 "I Intend to lead in Congress where I will take the lead in decentralizing our federal agency government with my already-announced Liberty Act, which sends public agencies like the EPA, Department of Education, H&HS (Health and Human Services) and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) back to the states for administration," Fawell said. "Once in office, I intend to wade into the Republican Party in Springfield to help clean house."