Dupage Policy Journal

Phil Suess thinks the legacy Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) leaves behind in Springfield is the kind any lawmaker worth their salt dreams of being remembered for.

“I think she wanted results and was not satisfied with the status quo, particularly in the context of the financial issues confronting this state,” Suess, the Wheaton City councilman now running for mayor of the city, told the DuPage Policy Journal. "Jeanne Ives always fought for results, even at a time when there are too many people involved in state government that just go along for the ride.”

After six years representing the 42nd District, Ives, who gave up her seat to challenge Gov. Bruce Rauner in a hard-fought and narrowly lost Republican primary, made her exit in much the same way she always served.

In a fiery letter to supporters that she posted to her website, Ives touched upon some of the issues she sees as being most critical to the struggling state, namely a bubbling pension crisis, sputtering economy and soaring property taxes rates.

Ives deemed the state’s declining population “the biggest indictment that the economic policies in Illinois are not working to grow our state naturally.” She pointed to how the state has lost nearly 600,000 people over the last six years, dropping it from the list of the country’s five most populated.

“In order to turn that around, you must demand accountability from your government," Ives added. "It is your money, your homes, your businesses and your futures at stake.” 

Suess said the way Ives was always ready to fight for the common voter and speak truth to power is where she will be missed most.

“I don’t think there was anybody in Springfield more on top of policy issues confronting the state’s affairs than Jeanne Ives,” he said. “I think she is an example of what every state representative should be as far as knowledge of issues goes.”

Finally, Ives sought to remind voters that they are the ones in charge and as such have to be the change so many of them desperately long for.

Again, Suess said that is who she has always shown herself to be.

“Right now, they’re not enough people in Springfield that think for themselves and actually work to make things better,” he said. “You never have to worry about Jeanne Ives being part of that group. “It’s really a rare thing to see her knowledge or level of commitment.”