Dupage Policy Journal

Tonia Khouri thinks it’s time Illinois government gives the people what they want.

“Illinois is facing an ongoing budget crisis and residents want spending reforms and a responsible budget,” Khouri running against Democrat Katrina Villa to replace retiring Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago) in the 49th House District, recently posted on her website in response to an Illinois Policy Institute report calling for a spending cap and a full-year balanced budget devoid of any new taxes.

Instead, Khouri argues what’s needed is more consolidation in state government, and pension and spending reforms. She further counters the idea of a progressive tax, as proposed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, will only serve to put a financial strain on even more residents.

Khouri pointed to what critics have deemed as a “persistent crisis-like budget environment” across the state, which has led to Illinois having one of the worst credit ratings in the country and four straight years of steady population declines, as examples of the desperate need for change.

Khouri seems willing to do her part. She recently joined other DuPage County board members in voting against giving themselves a pay raise, even as several other local officials moved to pocket such perks.

She and her colleagues will continue to be paid annual salaries of $52,102 at least through 2022.

Khouri has made the need for greater fiscal responsibility a central theme of her campaign, and is on record in asserting the state’s rising pension liabilities are out of control and desperately need to be reined in.

“People are overtaxed,” she said during a recent appearance on WIND AM 560 radio. “Everybody is saying high property taxes are a concern. It doesn’t matter what demographic they are.”