Lake County Gazette

Republican Dawn Abernathy has promised to support and vote for term limits if she gets elected to the 59th District State House seat.

This pledge came shortly after Gov. Bruce Rauner promised to push term limits in Springfield. Abernathy always has been an ardent supporter of limiting a public servant’s time in the capital.

“For far too long, the state of Illinois has been run by career politicians and special interests willing to do anything and say anything to hang on to power,” Abernathy said. “We have had decades of mismanagement, corruption and insider favors. Term limits are a way to start to fix the broken political system.”

Dawn Abernathy | Contributed photo

Abernathy has asked others to join her, most notably her Democratic opponent in the election, state Rep. Carol Sente.

“I call on Carol Sente to stand with the governor and be the independent leader in Springfield she claims to be,” Abernathy said. “Sign the pledge to change the culture in Springfield. She should demand a vote in the next session of the Illinois General Assembly to limit the terms of service to no more than 10 years combined Senate and House terms and no more than eight years for the governor.”

This push for term limits comes at a time when it was reported that Illinois lawmakers are the fifth-highest-paid lawmakers in the nation, with a base salary of $68,000. This is in a state that is facing a budget crisis and a mass migration of workers and young adults. 

“Illinois lawmakers are paid more than the average household in Illinois, and they are only in session from January to May,” Abernathy said. “I would support any legislation that cuts the pay for elected officials. We have families struggling to survive on $30,000 to $50,000 a year. Most elected officials have other jobs while serving in Springfield. Some even collect two pensions. This has to end. How much more can the taxpayer afford to pay?"

Taxpayers are seeing the effects of a shrinking economy. Illinois is one of 13 states to have experienced a contracting economy in the first quarter of 2016, with hits to its agriculture, fishing, hunting, real estate, rental, transportation and wholesale trades. 

Abernathy said the state needs to attract more businesses and change the economic atmosphere.

“Illinois’ economy is going to keep shrinking if we don’t get our finances in order, and we have to bring more businesses back to Illinois,” Abernathy said. “The industries with the lowest downturn are forestry, agriculture, fishing and hunting. We have some of the richest farmlands, yet we are losing in agriculture? We have to change the economic climate in Illinois. We have to start to relieve businesses from the undue burdens.” 

Abernathy said this situation has made it hard for new entrepreneurs to start their companies. Young entrepreneurs face punishing tax codes and expensive start-up fees.

“It is amazing to me that anyone would want to invest in a new business here in Illinois,” Abernathy said. “We have more deterrents for start-up businesses than assistance. First to go would have to be the antiquated corporate franchise tax. Can you imagine? ‘Start your business here, and the money you invest -- we are going to tax.’ Oh, and also, start an LLC here in Illinois. Yeah, not when paperwork costs are $750 for the first year and $250 every year after, while our neighboring states are $200 and less.” 

Abernathy said that instead of taxing and charging expensive fees to start up, the state needs to support and promote new businesses. Otherwise, she said Illinois will lose its integrity.

“We need to encourage the American Dream here in Illinois,” Abernathy said. “From the sounds of the future, college campuses aren’t the only places with 'safe spaces.' We are going to have an entire 'safe state.' Let’s chase away the American Dream in Illinois because it might make someone nervous. Instead, they will all come to Illinois for free crayons and stuffed animals.”