Republican candidate for Illinois state Senate District 23 Seth Lewis' Democratic opponent, state Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), was recently called out for his tax policies and inability to say no to House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
A recent series of negative publicity segments orchestrated by the grassroots Americans for Prosperity specifically targets Democrats, criticizing those in the party, including Cullerton, of catering to special interests and ignoring the will of the people of Illinois.
“Eighty percent in many legislative districts favor property tax freezes,” claims one advertisement — with plenty of colorful, animated graphics, including a symbolic house jumping up successively higher stacks of money accompanied by voice-over narration — but, it goes on to assert, Cullerton and his cronies are unconcerned.
“Rising property taxes … wreak havoc on family budgets and cost,” said the speaker in one 30-second spot. “But Cullerton and state leaders don’t care. …Tell [him] to stop pandering to special interests and pass the property tax freeze now.”
Two of the commercials accuse Cullerton and Melinda Bush, the state Senator for the 31st District, of keeping a property tax freeze from becoming law by “using insider tactics,” claiming that they are patronizing special interest groups.
“Property taxes are crushing Illinois’ middle class,” states another ad.
The conservative group calls out legislators for their "failure to curb government over-spending by passing unbalanced budgets and promoting higher taxes."
"Many of the actions taken in Springfield by some of our state legislators over the past year have not been in the best interest of taxpayers," David From, Americans for Prosperity Illinois' state director, stated. "This effort is intended to show the public instances where their legislators have not stood up for the taxpayers' best interest, so they can urge those legislators to change course."
The ads also go after two Downstate Democratic targets, state Reps. Dan Beiser of Alton and John Bradley of Marion. The ads accuse the Democratic lawmakers of having a “yes” problem in Springfield.
“Yes to special interests. Yes to more spending and handouts. Yes to Speaker Mike Madigan’s agenda,” says the narrator, encouraging viewers to call their lawmakers and urge them to “quit voting for Mike Madigan’s overspending."
This month, Lewis challenged Cullerton to clarify his position on issues including the Independent Map Amendment, but Cullerton refrained from comment. Lewis subsequently criticized Cullerton, saying, “We need independent leadership in the 23rd District, not someone who remains silent when party bosses expect it.”
The series is tackling a variety of additional candidates by name throughout Illinois, including suburban Democratic state Reps. Sam Yingling of Grayslake, who is facing challenger Republican Rod Drobinski of Wauconda; and Deb Conroy of Villa Park, opposed by GOP candidate Heidi Holan of Glen Ellyn.
The 23rd district spans northern DuPage County and includes all or parts of Addison, Bloomingdale, Bartlett, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Itasca, Villa Park, West Chicago, Wayne and Wood Dale.
Alerts Sign-up