Chicago City Wire

Ammie Kessem, the Republican candidate for the 19th House District, said she plans to work on cutting government waste if she is elected, not implement new taxes like the mileage tax that is currently being discussed.

"Obviously my entire campaign has been focused on cutting government waste, particularly when it comes to the multitude and duplicative units of government in Illinois," Kessem told Chicago City Wire.

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker recently suggested he is open to a mileage tax to help pay for infrastructure repairs, according to the Illinois News Network. Other lawmakers earlier this year drafted House Resolution 0766 to officially voice their disapproval of such a proposal.

J.B. Pritzker

One of Kessem’s biggest concerns is the fact that Illinoisans are unable to maintain the level of taxation they are burdened with, she said.

"One of my main concerns has been surrounded around the high taxes which are driving Illinoisans out and preventing new businesses from coming in," Kessem said.

High taxes and government waste is only worsened by the regulatory state of Illinois, and an additional mileage tax will only exacerbate issues, Kessem said.

"Couple that with all of the bureaucratic red tape, government oversight and regulations, Illinois is hardly a competitive state," Kessem said. "Add ridiculous taxation to transportation — like Pritzker is suggesting — and not only do you have a recipe for disaster, he will basically sign a death sentence for any chance of turning things around here.”

Kessem is running against Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) for the 19th House District, which covers portions of Chicago and Harwood Heights.