Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) has long believed that necessity is the mother of invention.

“We need to change leadership in Springfield and we need that change so we get better policy direction,” she told the DuPage Policy Journal. “We also just need more fighters, people who can lead committees and change the conversation so that we get the type of financial and cultural reforms that are needed. We need people unafraid to stand up for taxpayers on every single policy issue that comes to the floor.”

Ives, who narrowly lost out to Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary, said those are just some of the reasons behind the creation of a coalition of conservative, reform-minded GOP legislators and candidates now joining forces. The group hopes to reform state government and renew the culture in Springfield.

Sen. Kyle McCarter

Alliance members also include state Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) and Reps. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) and Tom Morrison (R-Palatine). GOP House candidates Dwight Kay, Darren Bailey, Chris Miller and Blaine Wilhour are also part of the coalition.

“Ideally we’ll take back at least nine seats next fall and be able to kick (House Speaker Mike) Madigan out of his speakership position,” Ives said. “Anything short of that, what this does is give us a cadre of individuals, reformers who think the same way, are pushing for the same things and will back one another up until the bitter end.”

Ives said every taxpayer in Illinois also has a role to play in bringing about the level of transformation that’s needed to restore the state.

“Each and every one of them will need to go out and vote to get reformers elected,” she said. “Even after the election, voters still need to hold every politician accountable to do the things they said they would do once in office. I’m pretty sure the people we have on our team won’t disappoint when it comes to that.”