The editorial summarizing the gubernatorial election (“Two-term incumbent Pritzker and downstate farmer Bailey vie in gubernatorial rematch,” Oct. 18) seemed very positive toward Gov. JB Pritzker, given how poorly he has actually performed over the last eight years. Looking just at the main themes of his campaign advertisements — affordability, the credit rating for the state, and the minimum wage increase and purported overall wage increases in the state — there is considerable context and facts missing from his ads.
Start with his vow to fight President Donald Trump on affordability to help the citizens of Illinois. The reality is that Pritzker has approved over 60 new taxes and fee increases over the last eight years, costing Illinois taxpayers over $85 billion, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Just in the last fiscal year, the cost was over $15 billion. Illinois’ tax burden is among the highest in the nation. Perhaps instead of fighting Trump, Pritzker should instead focus on reducing costs and repealing the taxes and fees he has implemented.
Regarding the state credit rating, yes, it has increased 12 times while Pritzker has been governor. However, Illinois still has the lowest credit rating in the nation, according to the Illinois Policy Institute, primarily because Pritzker’s focus has been on short-term fixes rather than fixing the structural problems facing the state. Our property taxes are too high, there are too many government bodies and our pension debt is out of control, just to name a few. In spite of having a Democratic supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly, Pritzker has done little to address the structural problems facing the state.
Finally, regarding the overall wage increase in the state, the increase is modest at best. Similarly, private sector job growth during Pritzker’s time as governor is essentially flat at 0.1%, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
With the resources and the geographic location of our state, Illinois should be thriving. Taxpayers and businesses will continue to flee the state unless we start voting for a change in one-party control of the state.
— Marc Bernicky, Plainfield
A simple question for Bailey
Thanks to the Tribune reporters for their report on the face-to-face meeting between Gov. JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey at the WTTW-Ch. 11 forum last week (“At forum, old themes emerge,” Oct. 15). But it was disappointing that there was no mention of Bailey ever being asked if he still believes President Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” claiming he won the 2020 election that Joe Biden won. There are certainly many Illinois voters who don’t need to waste another minute deciding who to vote for if Bailey still remains so much in the “Big Lie” swamp that he can’t answer a simple and obvious question honestly and correctly.
It’s not all in the past. If Bailey still refuses to acknowledge such important reality, he has no business trying to be in such an impactful office as Illinois governor.
— Anthony Miller, La Grange Park
Judgment in endorsements
The Tribune Editorial Board’s recent endorsements of Elizabeth Bauer in Illinois’ 53rd House District and Joseph Tracy in the 54th are deeply disappointing. In both cases, the editorial board emphasizes the candidates’ commitment to fiscal responsibility. While I respect Bauer’s expertise as an actuary and Tracy’s service as a now-retired Illinois Department of Human Services employee, good legislators must offer more than a bottom-line approach to governing.
Over the years, I have seen 53rd District Rep. Nicolle Grasse and 54th District Rep. Mary Beth Canty help residents navigate government services, resolve problems with state agencies and secure community resources. Their emotional intelligence, practical experience and ability to navigate state politics are proven assets.
By contrast, neither editorial board-endorsed candidate appears to have a comparable record of community service through local government, school or library boards, or social service organizations. Promising to lower taxes and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse is easy. Explaining how to accomplish those goals while meeting residents’ needs is another matter. Talking the talk is not the same as walking the walk.
Illinois has earned 12 cumulative credit-rating upgrades since June 2021 and has passed eight consecutive balanced budgets. Bauer’s actuarial expertise may be valuable, but public policy requires more than financial calculations; it demands an understanding of the human consequences of government decisions.
The endorsement of multimillionaire farmer Chris Miller
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in Illinois’ 101st House District, however, is a bridge too far. Miller, a hard-right member of the Illinois General Assembly, attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally near the U.S. Capitol. I find it troubling that the editorial board appears willing to overlook the Jan. 6 assault on our democratic institutions.His spouse, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, one of the hardest-right members of Congress, adds further context to his political affiliations.
I can no longer trust the judgment reflected in the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements.
— Moisette Sintov McNerney, Arlington Heights
An unwelcome surprise? Really?
I was stunned by the third paragraph of the editorial about the protests in France (“In Chicago, we know all about looting ‘protesters’ similar to the ones in France,” Oct. 20). The Tribune Editorial Board thinks coverage “in the New York Times and elsewhere” sought to downplay the violence so it wouldn’t “turn into an unwelcome October surprise for U.S. Democrats”? Would this be the same Gray Lady and cohorts (including the Tribune Editorial Board) that agonized endlessly about President Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity but have little to say about the doddering liar pushing tales of school-day gender transitions, gushing over men’s physiques, defying court orders, cozying up to dictators and wandering aimlessly away from the open doors of means of transit?
I am quite certain no thought of protecting Democrats enters into their coverage decisions. The competence Democrats provide is boring; the chaos of the current administration draws eyes and clicks.
— Kelly M. Ercoli, Downers Grove
Consider our federal government
The editorial contrasting the Republican and Democratic parties regarding their stance on affordability (“Illinois politicians agree on the need for affordability. They disagree on how to get there,” Oct. 20) could not have been more off the mark. “Republicans tend to think government is too big and expensive.” This could not not be more contrasted by the current government, in complete control of the House and Senate, which fully empowers and supports the excessive expenses of the current White House occupant. Billions are being expended on the frivolous gilding of Washington, D.C., lilies, overreaching policies and unnecessary conflict rather than reducing debt and supporting the needs of the very citizens who have produced the taxes to fund this country’s existence.
— Anne Essex, Glenview
Wrong about ‘congenial’ settling
In the editorial about the Oct. 9 not-liable verdict in favor of the city (“A jury vindicates a City Council uprising against settling cases against the police,” Oct. 21), the Tribune Editorial Board says that “when you have outside attorneys on both sides of the case, logic would suggest there will be more motivation to settle in a congenial way.”
Defense lawyers get paid by the hour, and although they know and respect most of the plaintiff lawyers, I guarantee the editorial board that they do not suggest settlements to be “congenial,” nor do the plaintiff lawyers accept settlements to be “congenial.”
Both sides fight hard for their clients.
— Kurt Beranek, Glenview
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