Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey rallies support in Harrisburg
HARRISBURG - An Illinois state senator who became known for opposing Illinois lockdown measures during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic told supporters that Illinois residents have lost freedoms while paying higher taxes and received nothing in return at a meet-and-greet session Wednesday in Harrisburg.
Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, who is running for governor in the 2022 Republican primary, thanked women from the Saline County Republican Party who organized the event, and said that kind of effort will be needed to change the way Illinois does business.
"This is what we've got, members and volunteers all over the state. We're all busy with life, but if we want to make a change, if we want to change and guarantee our future, we have to step out of that comfort zone and do something," Bailey said.
Bailey said he never originally intended to get involved with politics, but a tax increase in 2017 that he said unfairly penalized several workers for his family farm prompted him to become more politically motivated at the state level. He previously had been on the North Clay Board of Education in Clay County.
"Quite honestly, government in generally really makes me sick. It's been corrupted. People lie to us. They make promises they don't keep," he said.
He said that as the state's budget continues to grow, the taxpayer pays the price.
"The Democrats are telling us we have a revenue problem. That means that we need more money. Illinois' economic engine is devastated. So you know where that money comes from? It comes from your pocket," Bailey said. "That's it. We just need more money from your pocket. That's the answer.
"The Republicans, including myself, stand up and say, 'No, we have a spending problem. Everyone here, if you have a financial crisis in your household, your job, your car breaks down, medical, we have to sacrifice. We have to give up something for a time in order to get better and stronger. But Illinois isn't going to do that."
Bailey went on to note that Gov. JB Pritzker spend $53 million to promote the passage of a progressive tax, which was not approved by voters. The measure needed 60 percent of voter approval to pass, and received about 45 percent.
"That's a governor's race, right there," Bailey said.
"There's 118 state representative seats, OK, and last fall, only 44 of those were held by Republicans. Seventy-six of those districts voted no to the tax. That's a powerful message, friends," he added.
Bailey said he's also concerned by the large number of high school graduates who plan to attend college out of state. He said that 70 percent of college-age Illinoisans who attend college out of state do not return.
He also said that while he supports bipartisan legislation, the outcome often favors Democratic Party goals. He said that in contrast to some other Republican candidates and potential candidates, he stands for Republican values.
"There are people, several good people, who either are running or are going to run. But I've heard the word 'compromise' and 'get along' too much," Bailey said. "Yes, we have to work together. But whenever a Republican compromises with a Democrat-controlled House and Senate, we give up tax dollars. We give up life ... It's why we're in the condition we're in."
Bailey recommended potential voters to visit his Facebook page, where he constantly posts updates about possible legislative changes to Illinois.
Prior to Bailey's remarks, volunteers handed out "Fire Pritzker" signs to those in attendance.
Bailey was introduced by Eldorado native Joe DeBose, who said after moving to Utah and starting a business, he returned to Illinois to help Republican candidates at the state and federal level.