East Central Reporter

Illinois State Representative Brad Halbrook criticized recent actions by state leaders, arguing that new policies are negatively impacting families across Illinois. Halbrook highlighted the Illinois State Board of Education’s decision to lower academic proficiency benchmarks, stating that this move gives a misleading impression of student progress. He said, "Earlier this year, the Illinois State Board of Education voted to lower proficiency benchmarks for Illinois students rather than deliver real results for the children of our state. Now, they’re patting themselves on the back for 'improving' test scores."

Halbrook also raised concerns about a $2 billion transit funding plan passed by Democratic lawmakers in Chicago. According to him, the legislation diverts over $1 billion from motor fuel tax funds intended for downstate road and bridge repairs to support Chicago’s public transit system and increases tolls by 60%. He stated, "Democrats passed a $1 billion tollway hike and diverted another +$1 billion motor fuel tax funds to bail out Chicago’s failing transit system." Halbrook questioned why residents outside Chicago should pay for what he described as mismanagement in the city: "That money was supposed to fix downstate roads and bridges — not prop up Chicago’s mismanagement. Why should the rest of Illinois have to pay for Chicago’s failures?"

The representative also pointed to demographic forecasts from the University of Virginia indicating that Illinois could lose more than one million residents by 2050—the largest projected decline among all states. He said, "Illinois is expected to lose more than a million residents by 2050, based on forecasts from the University of Virginia. That puts us DEAD LAST in the nation for population growth." Halbrook attributed this outlook to high taxes and long-standing policy decisions: "Illinoisans are fed up with the high taxes and yet nothing to show for it. Illinois has all the resources to be among the fastest-growing states in America, but decades of poor public policy has left residents searching for an exit strategy."

Halbrook advocated for reforms aimed at providing tax relief and supporting both families and businesses in order to reverse these trends.

Brad Halbrook is a Republican who was elected in 2023 to represent Illinois’ 107th House District, succeeding Blaine Wilhour.

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