South West Illinois News

Paul Schimpf, a Republican candidate for state Senate in District 58, is not happy about Illinois having the highest tax rates in the country.

“This is not the category that we need to be leading the nation in," Schimpf said. "High tax rates and expansive government stifle innovation and opportunity, driving good people and jobs out of our state. Ludicrous ideas such as raising gas taxes another 30 cents a gallon or taxing drivers by the mile take money away from families that need it to pay for maintenance on their homes or sports for their children."

According to a recent survey by WalletHub that compared state and local tax rates in the 50 states and the District of Columbia against the median U.S. household to determine whose relative income tax obligations were the highest, Illinois ranks first of the 10 states with the highest rates.

To turnaround this designation, Schimpf said that if he’s elected, efforts will begin toward bringing the state’s workers' compensation and prevailing wage laws into alignment with the states that are competing against Illinois.

“We also need the economic certainty that comes with a balanced budget," he said. "In the 58th Senate District, I will be fighting to make Illinois competitive against Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana."

The candidate also said that the state is in trouble because the job creators are leaving.

“Raising taxes and expanding government will only make this problem worse," Schimpf said. "Illinois lawmakers need to focus on the reforms that are necessary to make our state competitive again. They should also ensure that our fundamental freedoms such as the Second Amendment are being protected, as well."

Schimpf offered other suggestions on what he thinks are important issues to help guide the state's Republican party.

“We have an opportunity to offer a constructive alternative to the destructive policies of the Chicago Democratic machine, which have sadly led to Illinois' almost total stagnation," Schimpf said. "Our party platform must focus on term limits, redistricting reform, retaining our inherent individual liberties and helping Illinois prosper economically."

Embracing economic proposals such as workers' compensation reform that makes Illinois more competitive with surrounding states is one of six suggestions Schimpf recently made for how the Illinois Republican Party could offer a constructive, successful alternative to the state’s existing policies. 

The other five are: set 10-year term limits for Illinois General Assembly service unless a member acquires a leadership position, in which case a legislator would have another 10-year term limit on his/her leadership role; reform redistricting to allow an independent commission to develop the decennial legislative and congressional maps; produce anti-corruption legislation that would give the office of the Illinois Attorney General more statutory authority to fight corruption; retain the pro-life and pro-Second Amendment principles already in the Republican Platform; and emphasize support for Illinois energy producers, specifically the coal and gas industries.

“How often do we hear that this election is the most important of our lives?" Schimpf asked. "Well, the 2016 election is certainly a 'milestone' election. Whether it is the federal election or state elections, we have a choice. We can embrace the old, failed policies of the Quinn-Simon Administration or we can work together to make Illinois the best state possible."