Lake County Gazette

Controversy arose early last week when a video released by James O’Keefe and his Project Veritas group allegedly exposed several potentially illegal tactics by the Democratic Party to incite unrest at Republican rallies and meetings.

The video reveals that certain groups affiliated with the Democratic National Committee and the Hilary Clinton Campaign used bird dogging tactics and other miscellaneous antagonistic provocation to instigate violence or strife.

Mike Amrozowicz, the Illinois state Senate candidate in District 31, is all too familiar with dirty tactics.

“Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with the dirty campaign tactics that career politicians use,” Amrozowicz, a Republican, told the Lake County Gazette. “From the very beginning of this race, my opponent has attacked me with vicious lies and mudslinging. Across the district, our yard signs and campaign fliers have been stolen.”

He asserted that voters won’t be deterred by lies especially from his opponent, incumbent state Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake). 

“Ultimately, I believe the voters will see through these tactics and reward candidates who run on a positive message,” he said. “My opponent is not running on her record, she's running on lies about me. That should tell voters everything they need to know about her lack of accomplishments in the state Senate.”

He believes that honesty and truth will eventually prevail and voters will realize that these sort of sullied campaigns are disingenuous.

“I am running a positive campaign focused on what I'd like to do for the people of the 31st District,” Amrozowicz said. “I'm hopeful that voters will be able to see through the mudslinging, special interest money, and negative ads and make a choice based on the issues.”

Among the issues Amrozowicz will be tackling, if elected, getting rid of are failed policies which has steered Illinois into its fiscal crisis. Something that may help Amrozowicz and leaders in Springfield is a council proposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner to reduce government bureaucracy.

“Cutting red tape and eliminating unnecessary regulation is vital if we are going to address the long-term fiscal and economic challenges in Illinois,” Amrozowicz said. “Often times when people talk about economic reform, they focus on attracting large companies that employ a lot of people. That's a good thing, but it isn't enough on its own. Our regulations and licensing requirements are especially damaging to small businesses.”

The Illinois Competitiveness Council would ensure regulations are up-to-date and language is easily understandable, as well as reducing unneeded requirements on businesses, social service providers, and residents. The council is expected save taxpayers at least $250 million over the next decade and bring back businesses to Illinois.

“Small businesses actually create a majority of the jobs in our economy and empowering small business owners enables people to become entrepreneurs and become successful on their own,” Amrozowicz said. “With more options for where to work and the opportunity to thrive as a business owner, we will see rising family incomes and faster economic growth.”

Amrozowicz contended that Illinois is not doing nearly enough to encourage business growth.

“According to the most recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, we lost 800 manufacturing jobs just last month,” he said. “Worse, the Illinois unemployment rate remains far above the national average. We need to change that and make Illinois competitive again.”

Making Illinois a competitive and prosperous state has been a focus for the candidate, who affirmed that he has been working seven says a week to spread his message of reform.

The voters want change, he concluded.

“Voters are sick and tired of business as usual,” Amrozowicz said. “They are sick of career politicians who make promises and never follow through. They are sick of the lies and the corruption that are so pervasive in Illinois government.”