We are lucky to have JB Pritzker as our Governor. Since he came to office, Illinois has paid down $12 Billion in our state debt, mostly left over from the Republican Governor Rauner disaster, increased the rainy day fund to $2 Billion, paid down the pension debt and improved our lives. In 2019 Illinois was rated 30 out of 50 in States good for business and in 2024 that improved to 15th. Enacted balanced budgets every year and received credit upgrades for the first time in two decades, 9 in all, lowering interest rates and eliminating late fees which have saved us hundreds of millions of dollars. Last year he, along with the Democratic Congress, lowered taxes on all parents with the Child Tax Credit and along with eliminating the Grocery Tax, saved ALL OF US an estimated $500 Million.

He cancelled HealthCare debt for over 100,000 low income people in Illinois and passed the Health Care Protection Act which takes the Insurance Companies out of the health decision process and gives it back to the patient and the Doctor, where it belongs. It also removes the prior approval clause for ALL Behavioral Care, and requires them to pay for travel expenses if you have to go somewhere for treatment.

Their “Evidence Based Funding” has increased money for our public schools, raised 8th grade reading scores to 2nd in the nation and math scores to 5th and raised the prek-12 average scores to number 7 of 50. Increased funding for MAP and AIM HIGH grants to allow more of our kids to go to college right here in Illinois and is asking the Legislature to allow Community Colleges to grant 4 year Bachelor’s degrees in needed subjects like Nursing and Tech degrees. The current administration in Washington is cutting funding for many of the programs we depend on like Medicaid, SNAP food assistance, Education, and Veterans Benefits. We should be thankful that we have a leader that is looking out for the welfare of his people, not looking to profit off of them. Admittedly, our taxes are higher than neighboring states but we have better Roads, Healthcare, Schools, Fire and Police departments and a cleaner environment to show for it.

Michael Thompson

Plymouth