Illinois has one of the nation’s highest property tax rates and is increasing faster than families have the ability to pay for them. As I knock on doors and hear from residents in the district, the overwhelming complaint I hear is how high property taxes are burdening hard working taxpayers and forcing families to leave the state. It’s time to get serious about reforming state government.

We can accomplish property tax relief by real, constitutional pension reform, consolidation of our 7,000 units of government, fair and equitable property tax assessment, and stopping unfunded mandates.

As a DuPage County Board Member, I have voted to cut the county budget by $36.5M saving taxpayers an estimated $110M through shared services, joint procurement, and consolidation.

That’s how you balance a budget – by cutting spending and reforming how government operates. I will bring these same types of reform to Springfield along with the courage, experience, and leadership to implement them.

Springfield recently added to our burden with a 32% income tax hike without any reforms. It’s time to represent the people’s interests and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions. I’m going to Springfield to defend our homes, represent the people’s interests and stop the raising of our property taxes.

Growing the private sector is the key to Illinois being the leader in the Midwest. I know it’s not the government’s role to create jobs – it’s the private sector’s role to create jobs. 63% of net new jobs are created by small businesses. Focusing on private sector jobs helps families and helps grow our economy.

The government’s role in economic growth is to create a business friendly environment that includes tax certainty, low regulations, and workers’ comp reform.

I am a strong advocate for the free enterprise system and using that system to help people break free from poverty. Jobs change people’s lives.