Macon Reporter

Regan Deering, a candidate for the 88th House District, has articulated her campaign's emphasis on the future of children in Illinois. She has taken a critical stance towards the state government's fiscal policies, characterizing them as using children like a "credit card" with unsustainable borrowing and spending practices, and underscores the impact of these policies on households.

"I am running for the future of our kids! Illinois’ state government uses our kids like they are a credit card with their crazy borrow and spend policies," Deering stated on Facebook. 

She continued to express her concerns about these policies, stating that they make it increasingly difficult for families to afford groceries. 

"Those same policies are making it more and more difficult to buy groceries for our households at the store," she added. 

Deering also noted the negative effects of these practices on entrepreneurship and social services. 

"We have one of the least business-friendly climates in the union, so the entrepreneurial spirit that built our country is discouraged. We have an open border policy that is only going to strain our overburdened social services and will be felt for generations to come."

The sentiments expressed by Deering align with recent reports indicating a decline in Illinois' business tax climate over the past five years. According to data from the Tax Foundation’s 2023 State Business Tax Climate rankings, Illinois now ranks 36th in the nation. This decline has raised concerns about an ongoing exodus of companies such as Tyson, Citadel, Boeing, Caterpillar, FTX and Highland Ventures. Illinois's challenging business environment has led to its having the highest unemployment rate in the nation as of September 2022.

Beyond economic issues, Deering highlighted concerns related to immigration. Since August 2022, nearly 30,000 migrants have arrived in Illinois with taxpayer funds reaching almost $700 million in just one year.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) recently visited the southern U.S. border and urged the Biden administration to take decisive action. According to a news release, Halbrook described his experience in Texas as "eye-opening" and called for the closure of the border.

Deering also drew attention to Illinois' high taxes, including the nation’s 8th highest sales tax rate and a significant surge in property taxes since 1990. She emphasized the impact of these taxes on residents, citing that one of the highest gas taxes quadrupled in 2019. This increase has led to elevated gas prices and multiple layers of taxes in some areas, amounting to about 25% of drivers’ income, according to Prairie State Wire.

Deering, who previously ran for Congress and currently serves on the Mount Zion school board, announced her bid for the Illinois State House in the 88th District in June. She aims to succeed State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Macon), who has decided not to run for re-election, according to an earlier report from Macon Reporter. The 88th District includes McLean, Macon, Piatt and DeWitt counties.