Chicago City Wire

As the pension crisis in Illinois continues to escalate, Audrey Barrett, a candidate for the 26th District House, is highlighting the intricate issue that she feels many Illinois residents fail to comprehend. She underscores the importance of educating voters about the workings of the Illinois legislative government, state constitutional offices, Congress and the Senate.

“Many Illinoisans do not understand the Illinois legislative government, State Constitutional offices, Congress, the Senate and how they work. It’s time that we educate the everyday voter now!” Barrett said on Facebook.

“Sometimes, the voter’s interest in politics ceases when they drop their ballot on election day. However, many things go beyond the scenes that lead the taxpayer unknowingly to pay more taxes, and it rises every day.”

The focus of Barrett's campaign then shifted towards the pressing issue of Illinois pensions. She argues that politicians and union leaders are hesitant to openly discuss this topic. Barrett warns of an impending financial disaster in Illinois where numerous cities are using their entire tax revenue to cover pension payments and the state is grappling with a $500 billion pension debt. She emphasizes on the vulnerability of seemingly stable pension programs like those under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and Sheriff's Law Enforcement Personnel (SLEP). Expressing her concern over a potential domino effect across public and private sectors due to a single pension failure. Furthermore, she criticizes the absence of bankruptcy options for Illinois amidst a possible economic collapse and calls for immediate action to address government corruption.

"Every man and woman and child in Illinois is on the hook for $56,000 an individual because of non-payment of loans for pensions or the failure of government entities to pay their share into the pension funds," Barrett warned. "In Chicago, the Chicago Police Pension fund reported that they are only 20% funded. This was because of pension mismanagement and political corruption. The CPD is soon facing the largest police pension collapse in our nation’s history. All the pensioners will have to resort to welfare to survive. Thousands of Police Officers will resign, looking for more stable jobs and retirement plans."

Barrett, on her Facebook page, presented a graph from Wirepoints showing that nearly one-third of Illinois lawmakers have chosen to reject public pensions, as per the pension status report of the Illinois 103rd General Assembly. Among the 56 out of 177 lawmakers who have declined a pension are 20 Democrats and 36 Republicans.

Barrett, a native of South side and a single mother of three children, is also the CEO and Founder of Kingdom 4U Health and Wellness. She specializes in pediatric home healthcare and serves as a nurse manager.

According to her campaign website, "Barrett’s efforts have shifted in focus as a result of the scarcity of voices in our legislature who can empathize with those who are struggling. Crime, education, the drug crisis, and a lack of access to healthcare are the problems wreaking havoc on our communities and ones she cares deeply about."

The 26th House District is situated entirely within Chicago and includes neighborhoods such as Bronzeville, Downtown, Gold Coast, and Hyde Park. Currently represented by State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), who ran for Mayor of Chicago in February 2023 election, Buckner is seeking re-election to represent District 26 according to Ballotpedia.