Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois' state government is "broken," Stephanie Trussell, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, said in a news conference Dec. 13.

"Over the last decade, hardworking people have fled Illinois in droves," said Trussell, a former radio talk show host. "The majority of those left looking for better  jobs. Twenty percent of them left because they couldn’t find affordable housing. Sadly, many are leaving because they no longer feel safe. In the '70s we played outside even after dark while our parents sat on the porch. We felt  safe. Today, murder and crime rates in Chicago are the highest they’ve been in two decades."

Gov. J.B, Pritzker hasn't fixed the state's problems, Trussell said.

"Taxes, the cost of living and crime on the street; these are real problems that we all know J.B. Pritzker can’t, hasn’t, and won’t fix," she said. "We need real common-sense policy solutions. We need leadership who will fight to defend our police, not defund them. We need to get the woke left political agenda out of our classrooms once and for all. It’s time to teach our children to chase  their dreams — not to be a victim or to hate one another."

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville), Republican candidate for governor, picked Trussell as his running mate for the June 28 primary.

"Darren and I will demand a zero-based budget that freezes spending with no tax increases," Trussell said. "Every department will start at zero and will have to make the case for every cent of its funding. We have to stop passing budgets that spend tax dollars automatically. We’ll implement an honest review of each spending item. By the end of our second year, we intend to deliver a tax cut to Illinois families. After all, it’s your money."

She was born on the West Side of Chicago and worked at the Maywood McDonald's during high school, Trussell said.

"My mom had me when she was barely 17 years old, yet through her hard work and sacrifices, she was able to send my sister, my brother and me to private schools, Scouts, dance lessons on Michigan Avenue and the church youth group," Trussell said. "She was determined to give us the  opportunities that she never had, laying the foundation for us to become successful adults. One of the most important lessons she taught me was work ethics. Nobody worked harder than my mom."

Trussell went on to have five children of her own.

"As I worked hard as a mom raising up five children, I also enjoyed  serving my community," she said. "I have been everything from a Cub Scout leader to a room mom to a taxi mom with a van full of kids driving them to and from practice."

She promised, if elected, to help fix Illinois.

"It’s the  heartland of America. But its political leaders and political class have failed us. That’s why I’m so excited to join Darren Bailey’s campaign to restore Illinois. People say Illinois can’t be fixed but I’m here to tell you they are wrong. With the Bailey-Trussell ticket, we will bring our great state back."