Illinois government is trench warfare, not leadership
After 18 years in the legislature, I announced that I would not seek re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives, instead deciding to run for chairman of the McHenry County Board. Leaving the legislature was not an easy decision.
Since first being elected state representative, I have spent my time talking to and working on behalf of the residents of the 63rd District. For most of my tenure in the General Assembly, I have loved my job and the opportunity it afforded me to bring positive changes to the people of Illinois. From ethics reform to government consolidation to fighting against runaway taxes and spending, I am proud by what has been accomplished.
Unfortunately, over the past months, Illinois government's dysfunction has reached a level that has put the future of our state and the welfare of our people at risk. Both political parties are at fault. They both suffer under the delusion that it is OK for real people to suffer as long as the other side gets the blame.
I was hopeful that after the election of Gov. Rauner and the Democratic majorities in the General Assembly in 2014, we would be able to show the nation how bipartisanship could improve the overall health of any government and provide benefits for its citizens. Instead, we have witnessed the worst kind of political trench warfare.
Our neediest citizens are being left on their own, residents are fleeing the state at a record pace, and our bond rating continues to sink because of the paralysis in the Capitol. This is not what the people of Illinois intended when they cast their ballots.
Illinoisans' frustration and outrage over the quagmire in Springfield was on full display as the scheduled legislative adjournment of May 31st came and went without a budget for the second year in a row. As a long time member of the General Assembly, the complete failure of our state government has made me question much of what I believed about the motivations and priorities of my colleagues as well as the legislative leaders and statewide officials.
While there are many hardworking, ethical elected officials in Springfield, the culture is devolving into a partisan warfare, where the focus is on defeating your enemy, not working toward the common purpose of honest, responsive government for our people.
Overreliance on tax increases by many Democrats has led my party to refuse to compromise. Instead they attribute evil motives to our Republican colleagues, suggesting that any compromise would destroy Illinois.
The Republicans are acting no better. Gov. Rauner and the Republicans he leads in the legislature have refused to address the basic needs of the state without the inclusion of poison pills that they know the Democratic majority cannot accept.
Both sides are so focused on partisan politics and the upcoming election that they refuse to do their job. It is that context in which I decided it was time to leave the legislature. Springfield is the latest victim of the poison that is extreme partisan politics in our country.
The people of McHenry County, just like all the people of Illinois, deserve elected officials who safeguard their tax dollars while maintaining the basic services of government that we all depend on for our civil society. They also require elected officials who understand that in a democracy you don't always get everything you want.
Governing is a tough, messy business. But it must be done. Springfield now acts as if operational and statutory deadlines no longer matter. Capitulation from the opposition is the priority, no matter how long it takes or how high the cost.
Our people, our businesses, our entire state suffers while the egos on both sides of the aisle posture and blame. I fear for our state. Rational governing, respectful of deadlines and the opposition must regain a foothold in Springfield. It's our only hope if we are to regain our rightful spot as the economic engine of the Midwest.
State Rep. Jack Franks is a Democrat from Marengo.