Candidates for the Illinois General Assembly were happy to see Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Senate President John Cullerton (D-6th District) compromising on a possible solution to the state's pension crisis -- even if their plan remains in limbo while lawmakers in Springfield continue to haggle over the state's budget.
“I’m glad to see at least some of the leadership in the legislature is willing to try to compromise and willing to try to help solve the problem when Mike Madigan and some of those in the House of Representatives don’t seem to be willing to do anything,” Jason Kasiar, a Republican candidate for the District 118 House seat, recently told the Southwest Illinois Call. “I’m thankful that President Cullerton is willing to at least compromise, and he and the governor can come to a conclusion that will be best, hopefully, for everybody, not just one party or the other.”
Republican Dale Fowler, who is running for the Senate in District 59, also praised Cullerton’s plan and believes pension reform is crucial to solving the state’s pension woes.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Fowler told the Southwest Illinois News. “Reform, it’s imperative. I think we all know that, so I’m glad to hear that this sounds like they’re coming to a compromise.”
With the fate of the pension deal seemingly contingent on lawmakers coming to an agreement on ways to close the approximately $5 billion budget gap, many Illinois residents are wondering whether a tax hike is eminent and ultimately how Illinois will be able to compete with other states.
Many business owners have opted to open up their businesses in neighboring states where taxes are more favorable.
Kasiar, who owns an independent pharmacy in Illinois, said he believes workers' comp reform is necessary as an incentive to bring businesses to the state.
“We’re taxing people to death and I understand that we have issues,” Kasiar said. “We have pension problems. I don’t know that I’d even call it a pension problem. We have spending problems here in Illinois, and we’re spending beyond our means of what we’re taking in. In doing so, we’re burying the taxpayers to the point that we may never get out of this. So, why would someone want to open a business?”
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