Must change players to fix Springfield
Tall and impressive, Jonathan Greenberg was holding his infant son on his shoulder, his toddler racing nearby. Jonathan stood before our organization announcing his run for state representative, 57th House District: “I am doing this for my children” — for their future in Illinois. He spoke with vigor, clarity and intelligence. He reminded me of Jack Kennedy.
Greenberg (Republican) is running against (Democrat) longtime Rep. Elaine Nekritz, in a newly drawn district.
I compare Illinois to a massive truck about to run off a steep cliff (bankruptcy). The truck must be stopped now, its direction changed. Illinois is at the bottom of 50 states in credit worthiness — downgraded by
Standard & Poor.
Our pension problems were “manageable” a decade ago. Today, they are nearly “impossible” without real turnover in Springfield — without young, new talent stepping up, like Jonathan.
Jonathan has worked as Midwest director of a bipartisan group, educating government officials.
For the last decade, the Democratic Party has had an “iron grip” on Illinois government: running the governor’s office, the Senate, the Assembly. Nekritz has been in office 10 years. Unless defeated, her first vote in January (for the 6th time) will be to re-elect House Speaker Mike Madigan (30 years in leadership)!
And in “lock step” with Madigan, Rep. Nekritz shamefully voted for the recent tax increases on individuals and corporations. Nekritz voted for the “pension holiday” to stop paying into public employee pension funds. She is an “enabler.”
Neighboring states, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana, have budget surpluses and job opportunities. Illinois’ 9 percent unemployment is a disgrace! We have to “bribe” businesses to stay here. We are even losing a seat in Congress, because individuals are fleeing Illinois for a better future.
Jonathan Greenberg believes that real “pro-growth” policies can dramatically turn Illinois around. And unlike Rep. Nekritz, he pledges to STOP shifting the massive state pension debt to local property taxpayers! He will repeal the tax increases. Illinois will be “Open for Business” again. His family and yours will have promising futures in Illinois.
Gary Hesse
Buffalo Grove