Tonia Khouri says this summer's record-breaking 32 percent income tax hike and a budget with no reforms pushed her past the breaking point.
“Springfield has an insatiable appetite for our money, and it’s time someone represent the interest of the people,” Khouri told the DuPage Policy Journal of her decision to run for state representative in the 49th District, which spans parts of Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, South Elgin, West Chicago, Naperville, Aurora and Bartlett. “I’m ready to take on the responsibility of protecting the quality of life of families and small business owners; ready to take on the politicians in power that have bankrupted our families.”
Currently a member of the DuPage County Board and chairman of economic development, Khouri, who lives in Aurora, insists her tenure as a state representative would be as principled as her five years on the county board have been.
Tonia Khouri, DuPage County Board member
“On the county board, I’ve opposed every tax increase proposed,” she said. “People are working hard every day just to be forced to give more of their money to the government. This is money that could be used for groceries or tutoring for their kids. Things have to change.”
During her time on the board, Khouri rates working to save taxpayers millions of dollars through budget cuts and consolidations one of her proudest achievements. She said it sickened her to learn that at least $5 billion of the state’s new $36 billion budget will go to various pension plans.
“I place the blame for that on Democrats and surrender Republicans,” she said. “The No. 1 core principle of any Republican is supposed to be lower taxes, so I’m having a hard time understanding how something like that whole budget happened. That it has no property tax relief or other regulatory reforms is just unacceptable.”
Khouri is seeking to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Fortner (R-Aurora), who has decided not to run for re-election. She previously ran against state Rep. Bill Foster (D-Illinois) in the 11th District, garnering 40 percent of the vote.
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