Rock Island Today

Russell Christ wishes voters in Illinois would publicly express more often all the things he regularly hears on the campaign trial.

“Every day, I hear about how people are fed up and desperate for something else from Springfield,” he told the Rock Island Today. “I tell them they need to stand up and demand change loud enough for everyone to hear them all the way down to House floor.”

A new Illinois Issues Survey poll finds that 53 percent of all voters polled by the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois-Springfield are open to leaving Illinois. Christ said the poll's findings speak to the growing discontent.

Illinois State House Speaker Mike Madigan

“Property taxes are too high and we need to be talking about finding a way to repeal the recently imposed 32 percent income tax hike,” said Christ, running against Democratic incumbent Karen Kinney for Rock Island County clerk in November’s general election. “The Democratic machine is behind all of this; their stranglehold on power here in Illinois has had its price.”

Among those surveyed, rising taxes and rampant government dysfunction were the primary reasons given by those ready to hit the road.

“Their biggest fear now is that on top of everything that’s already gone wrong, (Democratic nominee for governor) J.B. Pritzker will get in and raise taxes even more,” Christ added. “We need Gov. Bruce Rauner to have someone there to fight (House Speaker Mike) Madigan and more of his evil policies.”

Illinois Policy Institute adds the dissatisfaction being felt by residents across the state seems equally spread, with 64 percent of respondents from households with incomes of up to $100,000 having considered leaving, compared to 59 percent of those from households with incomes topping $100,000.

Overall, 74 percent of those polled said they feel the state is headed in the wrong direction, compared with just 14 percent who feel positive.  

“It’s not enough to just keep talking about change, we have to demand it,” said Christ, currently serving as Precinct Committeeman of South Rock Island District 14.

Rock Island County includes the cities of East Moline, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis.