CHICAGO — In two weeks, 2024 will come to a close and one thing is clear: Illinois suffered yet another no good, very bad year under Democrats thumb, filled with scandals, corruption and disaster after disaster. Take a look at some of Illinois Democrats’ failures in 2024:
Tax Hikes
This year, Illinois families were forced to take on multiple tax increases, including a sales tax hike and a property tax hike. Combined, JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats have forced the highest tax increase (over $750 million!) in Illinois history.
Budget Deficit
Brandon Johnson continues to prove that chaos reigns throughout Chicago as “America’s Worst Mayor” cannot pass a 2025 budget. Johnson has decided he’d rather saddle the city’s families with $300 million in tax hikes rather than do what the people have asked of him – cut superfluous programs and stop caving to special interests. Meanwhile, Governor Pritzker’s own office is projecting a $3.2 BILLION deficit next year after increased spending.
Migrant Crisis
Since 2022, JB Pritzker has spent nearly $3 billion of our taxpayer dollars to fund and provide services for illegal immigrants in the Land of Lincoln. Pritzker has shown us exactly where he stands: “I am going to do everything that I can to protect our undocumented immigrants.”
Prison Review Board
In April, Illinois experienced a tragedy when an 11-year-old boy was tragically murdered less than 24 hours after the Prison Review Board released his killer from prison. Following the incident, Pritzker and the Review Board twisted themselves into a pretzel, pointing fingers about their decision to prematurely release dangerous criminals onto our streets.
Soft on Crime
Crime continues to wreak havoc in Chicago and has only gotten worse since Pritzker signed the pro-criminal SAFE-T Act. As a result, Illinois residents have endured dangerous streets, neighborhoods, and even classrooms. Cook County Prosecutor Kim Foxx continues to give criminals a pass by not allowing gun, drug, and theft charges to be derived from some traffic stops, and dropping more felony cases than other prosecutors.
Madigan Trial
Former Illinois Democrat leader and big donor Mike Madigan is facing 23 counts of bribery, racketeering, extortion, and wire fraud. One of Illinois’ most powerful figures is now among an ever growing list of the corrupt politicians in Illinois’ history.
CTU
It’s simple: Brandon Johnson and Stacy Davis Gates want our public schools to take on hundreds-of-millions of dollars in high-rate loans to fund their radical agenda. Johnson will always prioritize the Chicago Teachers Union over taxpayers.
In October, all seven members of the Chicago Board of Education announced their resignation after Johnson pressured them to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. Martinez earned the ire of the Teachers Union and Johnson after he refused to issue a $300 million loan to fund the progressive demands of the Chicago Teachers Union.
On Election Day, CTU backed candidates and allies LOST a majority of school board races, proving that parents are tired of Johnson putting the Chicago Teachers Union first and them LAST.
Population Loss
Illinois residents continue to flee the Prairie State. A reported 32,836 residents left Illinois last year, forcing new tax burdens on Illinois families.
Failed DNC
This FOX News headline says it all: DNC in Chicago: Windy City rocked by violence even with migrant gangs on ‘good behavior’
Pritzker’s Political Future
FIRST: Pritzker traveled to New Hampshire in 2022 to raise his profile and set up a future presidential run.
THEN: Pritzker refused to quash rumors that he would leave Illinois to run for president when Democrats launched their soft coup against Joe Biden.
THEN: When Kamala Harris was announced as the Democrats’ preferred choice, even though she never received a vote outside of California, Pritzker launched a full-court press campaign to become her vice president.
NOW: After failing to earn the nod as the vice-presidential nominee, Pritzker immediately pivoted, making an effort to become the Democrats’ choice for president in 2028.
Bottom Line: 2024 was a disaster for Democrat leaders and they can’t point to how they made the lives of Illinois families better. Here’s hoping that they get their act together in 2025 – unfortunately, there’s no evidence that they will.
