Springfield, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Many local politicians have issued statements following the speech given during a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate by Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson.
The following statement is from the Illinois Freedom Caucus: The IL Freedom Caucus is issuing the following statement on the speech Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson gave during a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate.
“Much has been made about the great divide between Chicago and the rural parts of our state. Yes, there certainly is a deep ideological divide between the people of our districts and City of Chicago leaders on many issues but there is a recognition by everyone regardless of party affiliation that a strong and healthy Chicago is good for Illinois and the nation as a whole.
We all want Chicago to succeed. Unfortunately, what we heard today does not inspire confidence that Chicago is moving in the right direction. Brandon Johnson today decided to use his first interaction with the Legislature to launch one of the most partisan speeches we have heard in a long time on the House floor. It is hard to build a bridge with someone who comes to Springfield looking to pick a fight.
What we wanted to hear today was real ideas and real solutions – not more virtue signaling. What people want and what Chicago needs are good roads and sound infrastructure. Chicago families need good schools for their kids and above all they need and deserve safe neighborhoods. Instead of solutions, all we heard today was one woke cliché after another. There is no vision for building a better business climate in Chicago. Under the future Johnson Administration, businesses in Chicago will be taxed even more than they already are.
Brandon Johnson has proven again today the truth of the old adage that Chicago is a great city with terrible leaders. The problems in Chicago could be solved with better leaders and better policies. Unfortunately, under the Brandon Johnson administration, the City of Chicago will get neither. It is a sad day for Chicago and a sad day for Illinois.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Oakland), chairman; Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), vice-chairman; Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Jed Davis (R-Newark) and David Friess (R-Red Bud). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
The following statement is from Senator McClure:State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) released the following statement following Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly:
“Chicago has serious challenges right now that can only be solved with a thoughtful and comprehensive approach. Unfortunately, all we are hearing from the Mayor-elect is more left-wing schemes that have already failed over and over again.
“You can’t give criminals free reign and expect to have a city that is safe for residents and tourists. You can’t raise taxes again and again and expect families to be able to survive and for jobs to still be there.
“Families who live in much of Chicago are rightfully scared, and tourists are changing plans to avoid the city. I am more than happy to work with the mayor on real solutions for our state’s largest city, but I will not take part in furthering broken ideas. I want Chicago to be successful.”
The following statement is from Senator Plummer: State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) released the following statement regarding Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson’s address to a joint session of the Illinois Senate and House:
“We all want the best for the City of Chicago, we all want the best for the state of Illinois. But the reality is that if we want to help the people that live here, we have to change the policy direction of the state. I thought the Chamber was a moral vacuum, because we know people in Chicago and people across Illinois are hurting, but there was no contrition for the failed policies that put kids in failing schools and have caused mayhem and violence in the streets.
“I think Brandon Johnson’s plans for the City of Chicago are like a buffet of the same failed left-wing ideas, the very policies that have created the mess that the city is in right now. If spending more money correlated with good government, then Chicago would be the best run city in the world. Kids in the Chicago Public School system have far more money spent on them compared to the students in my district, but they’re still locked into failing schools and in constant danger out on the streets. The violence over the past weekend shows exactly what things are like in the city right now.
“Johnson’s plans for raising taxes and going soft on crime will guarantee that violence remains out of control, and will send a message that businesses, jobs, and tourists aren’t welcome or safe there.”
The following statement is from Representative Wilhour:State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) said what members heard from the incoming mayor was not serious dialogue, but instead, pure political theatre.
With the city coming into national focus over a spat of crime last weekend, many wanted the incoming mayor to address the crime issue, saying it is one that impacts retail and tourism….two backbones of the Chicago economy. He didn’t mention the issue.
The following statement is from Representative Halbrook: State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said a vibrant and healthy Chicago is good for Illinois and the nation as a whole. He went on to say everyone wants to see Chicago succeed. However, he added that what he heard from the incoming mayor today does not inspire confidence that Chicago is moving in the right direction.
The following statement is from Representative Niemerg: State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) said he heard today was ridiculous rhetoric out of a progressive, woke mayor-elect who has no real solutions.
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