Conservative activist David Krupa regrets that corruption continues to run so rampant among Springfield Democrats that it’s almost become a full-time occupation for some.
“You think about it, all the corrupt tax hikes and property tax laws put into place by (House Speaker) Mike Madigan and others are enacted to generate business for themselves at whatever cost it comes to everyone else,” Krupa told Chicago City Wire. “Then there are things like the ComEd rate scandal and all the added costs form that which are heaped on residents.”
No matter how you view it, all the chaos is coming at great cost to the state, with a new University of Illinois at Chicago analysis finding that the state’s culture of corruption annually costs taxpayers in the neighborhood of $556 million. Researchers also noted Illinois ranks as the second-most corrupt state in the country (behind Louisiana) and Chicago is the most corrupt city in the U.S., all of which goes a long way in crippling the state’s chances for economic growth.
Over the last two decades, researchers also found the state’s corruption price-tag easily tops $10 billion, or around $830 per resident.
This year alone, four state lawmakers have been indicted on corruption charges, adding to the state’s sordid political history that includes four governors having gone to prison over the last five decades. And mow Madigan finds himself cast as a central figure in the ongoing ComEd probe and a pay-for-play scheme.
“At some point, we the people have to take a stand,” Krupa added. “I’m hoping it’ll start with the rejection of the progressive tax being pushed by Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker, which, quite frankly, really is just another corruption tax.”
Between now and Election Day, Krupa said he plans to work day and night to make sure frustrated voters are feeling the same fire for change they’re now expressing.
“People are disgusted and they’re upset,” he said. “We just need to channel all that outrage to do what we need to come Nov. 3.”
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