"Illinois By The Numbers" - 9

December 14, 2009

Nine is a small number with enormous consequences.  Nearly all of our state’s public power and resources are concentrated in the hands of nine people.   Of course, someone has to hold these positions, but it is important to recognize that the top governmental positions in Illinois are all filled by nine Chicago Democrats who have emerged from the same political machine, are supported by the same financial donors, front for the same legions of patronage workers, and are the instruments of the same public sector unions.  In fact, they all live within a few square miles of one another. 

Among the Chicago 9: Pat Quinn, Lisa Madigan, Jesse White, Alexi Giannoulias, Dan Hynes, Mike Madigan, John Cullerton, Todd Stroger, or Richard Daley, there isn’t one elected official whose support is comprised of a majority of net taxpayers.  

The Chicago 9 maintain power through a simple formula.  They raise taxes and fees on families and small businesses throughout the state and shower it on public sector unions, patronage armies, and public assistance recipients most of whom are concentrated in Chicago.  In turn, the beneficiaries of their largess support the Democrat Party with votes and political contributions.  SEIU, AFSCME, and the teachers’ unions are the foundations of the Chicago 9’s empire. 

And who pays the tab? 

Suburban and downstate families and small businesses everywhere who are now fleeing Illinois like it is on fire to get away from the Chicago 9's insatiable appetites for other people's money. 

As I pointed out last week, 736,000 more people have moved out than have moved in to Illinois in the past decade.  And the Chicago 9’s response to the shrinking pool of taxpayers?  You guessed it: raise taxes some more.  Both Dan Hynes and Pat Quinn propose to raise income taxes on those with “the ability to pay” forgetting that these same people also have the “ability to leave”. 

Sadly, every candidate in the Republican primary either won’t rule out the Chicago 9’s tax hike plan, or want to keep taxes just where they are. 

If you think Illinois needs to be a place that values work and investment, then I ask you to join the only campaign that proposes to cut taxes on productive activity. 

I will cut the income tax by 50%, the corporate tax by 50%, and eliminate the estate tax. Please consider putting a down payment on this plan today.