Illinois state Rep. Andrew Skoog (D-District 76) is “just another double-talking politician” who is all too eager to please House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Rebuild Project says.
A campaign ad paid for by the GOP organization accused Skoog of telling his constituents one thing and then doing “Madigan’s bidding” once he gets to Springfield.
“Like when Skoog rubber-stamped Mike’s phony budget, adding billions in new debt, higher taxes on working families; but for failed Chicago schools – a reckless bailout,” the ad stated.
Many believe Democrats in the General Assembly have a long history of protecting their political power instead of focusing on the needs of Illinoisans.
In May, House Democrats, including Skoog, approved Madigan’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which involved an income tax hike and required taxpayers throughout the state to bailout the Chicago public school system by increasing their subsidies.
According to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, the budget proposed to spend $39 billion while the state is only projected to receive $32 billion in revenue due the expiration of the 2011-2015 temporary income tax increase, forcing the state to spend $7.1 million more than it rakes in.
The plan also proposed an additional $500 million appropriation for poverty-stricken school districts and an additional $75 million for early childhood education.
The plan was rejected in the Senate.
Skoog drew criticism from his Republican opponent, Jerry Long, who said when Skoog was chosen by Madigan to replace former state Rep. Frank Mautino last December, Skoog pandered for votes by saying he opposed a Chicago bailout. But his recent vote indicates otherwise.
“Andy Skoog, what he says means nothing, what he does says everything,” the ad stated. “Just another double-talking politician too loyal to Mike Madigan.”
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