Rock Island Today

Jeffery Orton is spending the final days of his re-election campaign for the Henry County Board preaching the same message he has hammered home all election season.

“Mike Madigan’s got to go,” Orton told Rock Island Today. “There’s really no question about that.”

Orton ties the longtime Democratic House Speaker to the flood of taxes that continue to rise in Illinois, triggering an out-migration epidemic that recently caused Illinois to fall from the country’s list of five largest states.

 “I’m concerned about the financial situation of this county,” added Orton, a 64-year-old retired history teacher. “I’m trying to leave things in a better position than when I came on board.”

Orton is on record in asserting he believes Democratic nominee for governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to enact even more taxes will have a detrimental effect.

Throughout his campaign against Gov. Bruce Rauner, Pritzker has expressed an openness to everything from a progressive tax to a mileage tax.

 “No matter what you stand for politically, there’s no reason taxes should have to be raised in this state,” Orton said. “I’ve never been a Madigan fan and feel he is responsible for a lot of the problems we’re now facing.”

Orton said there needs to be less regulation in Illinois and more outreach from leaders in attracting and keeping businesses across the state.

 “We have to have less regulations for this state to prosper and move forward,” he said. “No one likes to pay taxes. At the same time, I’m a former teacher, and I know that the school system is able to operate from taxes being paid. So I just can’t say that all taxes are bad, but there’s no question we have to have responsible government.”