South West Illinois News

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, expressed his admiration for Millstadt residents and highlighted his dissatisfaction with Governor J.B. Pritzker's taxes and policies. This statement was made during a campaign stop in Salem at the 2025 Millstadt BBQ-Chili Cook-Off held at Liederkranz Park.

"I had a great time meeting the people of Milstadt," said Dabrowski. "They are fantastic, freedom-loving, god-loving and America-loving citizens. The deep dissatisfaction with Pritzker and his policies was abundant. Not just because of his high, punishing property and gas taxes, but because of his extreme social and cultural positions that have alienated so many people across the state."

According to The Millstadt News, the Optimist Club’s BBQ-Chili Cook-Off is a longstanding community fundraiser hosted at Liederkranz Park in Millstadt, Illinois. The event typically attracts families, civic groups, and local businesses for an afternoon of chili sampling and barbecue. The 24th annual event was scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m., regardless of weather conditions. Admission included all-you-can-eat samples, with proceeds supporting youth programs. Details were posted by Millstadt News, which maintains the community events calendar.

My Journal Courier reports that Illinois’ fuel taxes remain among the highest in the nation. As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget changes effective July 1, 2025, the state’s motor fuel tax automatically increased. This brought gasoline prices to approximately $0.483 per gallon and diesel to $0.558 per gallon, according to statewide reporting on tax changes related to the budget. These increases continue Illinois’ trend of high pump-price taxation affecting drivers and small businesses across the state.

Property taxes are a significant concern for Illinois homeowners. According to the Tax Foundation’s 2025 state property-tax comparison, Illinois has one of the nation’s highest effective residential property tax rates—2.07% in 2023—second only to New Jersey. This reflects longstanding structural drivers in local finance and assessments across counties.

Dabrowski is a conservative policy analyst and civic leader running for Illinois governor in 2026. He previously led Wirepoints, an Illinois-focused research outlet on pensions, taxes, and governance, and earlier served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. His private-sector experience includes senior roles with Citibank in Mexico and Poland.