Hold Politicians Accountable for How They Spend Our Tax Dollars

Right now, there are zero checks-and-balances in our state government. One party controls every lever of government in Illinois, with little-to-no oversight or accountability. One party controls the state’s checkbook. Ultimately, just a few powerful politicians decide how much we pay in taxes and where that money all goes.

Unfortunately, my opponent, Margaret Croke, will not be the independent check-and-balance taxpayers deserve as their Comptroller. She has worked directly for the governor in numerous positions, and he has helped bankroll her campaigns. No wonder she has stated she stands with him, no matter what. Is she going to hold the governor accountable?

Croke is a Springfield politician who has voted for the state’s budgets. Now she wants the job to supervise it and say where it’s good and where it’s bad? No, she will simply be a rubber stamp.

It’s that lack of accountability that has gotten us into this mess. The most recent budget gave the governor a $100 million slush fund to spend however he sees fit. Democratic State Senators got $3 million and State Representatives got $1.5 million. No one has reported how any of that money was spent. The Speaker of the House got $40 million for a sports complex in his district.

Margaret Croke won’t hold any of these politicians accountable, not when she wants to keep climbing the political ladder. She’s not going to stand up to the Governor or the Speaker of the House and say, “This is wrong.” She’s not going to hold her colleagues accountable. It’s a conflict of interest.

Taxpayers deserve a watchdog who will hold politicians accountable for how they spend our tax dollars. They need a strong, independent leader in the room where decisions are being made to represent their interests. They need someone standing up for them publicly.

As Comptroller, I will be that leader. I’m not a politician. My only obligation is to the taxpayers of Illinois.

I would be bound to do what’s best for the people of Illinois. I don’t care about politicians or special interests. I’m not obligated to a political agenda or powerful politician.

I have stood up for what’s right, no matter what. I’ve worked with both political parties when they’re right and taken on both political parties when they’re wrong. I’ve fought for everyone’s constitutional rights, whether I agreed with their actions or not. I’ve helped enforce our laws, even when politically inconvenient.

I have proven my ability to be independent and stand for what I know to be right, no matter the pressure or the political cost. My values aren’t determined by powerful leaders or political agendas. I will always stand for the people of Illinois. That’s the strong leadership they deserve in the Comptroller’s office.