The political machine that is Illinois’ government is fueled by entrenched career politicians who have held elected positions for decades, a situation that must change for the state to prosper, GOP candidates seeking seats in the state House of Representatives are saying.
"Career politicians have created a mess in Springfield," truck driver Jerry Long, who’s running for the 76th District slot, said. "Instead of doing the people's work, we have politicians focused on political profit and lining their own wallets."
Of the nation’s 10 largest cities, only Chicago lacks some form of term limits, despite nearly 4 out of 5 Illinoisans supporting them, according to a poll from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
“Term limits in Illinois are long overdue," state Rep. David Welter (R-Dist. 75) said. "The people of Illinois deserve better, smarter, and more effective government. To achieve that, we must act now to pass real reforms, such as term limits."
Welter, who was appointed July 9 to the House to replace Republican John D. Anthony, is running in the general election to retain his seat. Anthony resigned in June to take a position at the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Both Welter and Long are on board with Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has renewed his calls for term limits this month as he flies around the state in an effort to wake up residents to what he said is the first step in reforming state government.
“People want us to fix the broken system that has put our state deep in the hole," Rauner said during a recent press conference. "But in Springfield, too many career politicians hold power and have been too happy to kick the can down the road and do nothing about our biggest problems. We have to change that."
Because of this so-called rigged political system, Illinois has the highest property taxes in America; some of the slowest economic growth in the country; and the highest levels of corruption, cronyism and patronage, the governor added.
In fact, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have dubbed the Windy City the nation’s “corruption capital.”
“I am campaigning to restore public trust in the Illinois Valley, and our state desperately needs common-sense political reforms,” Long said.
First and foremost, added Long, Illinois needs term limits to promote fresh new ideas and eliminate gridlock.
“I support a term limits referendum and empowering voters to take back our state," he said.
Rauner wants members of the Illinois General Assembly to return for the fall veto session prepared to vote on placing a constitutional amendment for term limits on the ballot and to create independently drawn legislative maps.
Democratic elections would require fair maps, something else Illinois lacks alongside a lack of term limits, both due to entrenched interests, the Republicans said.
Currently, the legislative districting system leaves too many Illinoisans without competitive elections because politicians may only redraw the state’s legislative maps every 10 years -- and they get to choose their own voters.
Rauner said the people of Illinois need to put pressure on members of the General Assembly to put redistricting reform and term limits on the ballot so that they can make the choice for or against the initiatives.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen struck down the fair maps ballot question on July 20, and the case now heads to the Illinois Supreme Court.
In the meantime, Welter said term limits is an issue that both Democrats and Republicans agree on.
“Let's improve the political climate in Springfield and unite behind reform that protects the people, not the political class," Welter said. "With term limits, we can ensure that state government in Illinois will be run by the people and for the people."
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