Although likely voters seem poised to pick Democrats for the state’s top offices, they are divided on the direction Illinois is headed. A majority of voters (52%) think things in Illinois are on the wrong track, while 48% say things are headed in the right direction.

Ralph Martire, executive director of the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and a professor of public policy at Roosevelt University, said now is not the time to cut funding to schools. “[The] total investment going into K-12 Education is $3.7 billion less than what the evidence indicates is needed for every school district to have the resources it requires to educate the students it serves.”

“Why, when the Republicans are making runs at the governor’s mansion in New York, Oregon, New Mexico, and elsewhere, is the party so hapless in Illinois? The Illinois GOP in particular is torn asunder by the seemingly incurable upstate/downstate divide between its voters.”

Under Gov. JB Pritzker, more than 20 new tax increases have been implemented, according to Justin Carlson of the Illinois Policy Institute.

“The state’s reserve fund reached a billion dollars for the first time, which would increase the number of days the state could operate on using that reserve fund alone to about eight days,” said Pew Officer Justin Theal. That is compared to Wyoming’s 349 days.

The two first became acquainted when DeVore filed a slew of challenges against Gov. J.B. Pritzker over the use of consecutive executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic without getting legislative approval. Raoul contended he defended the governor because the orders were meant to save lives.

Theis takes over the court that, beginning in December, could consist of a majority of justices who have less than one year of experience on the high court. Republican Justice Lisa Holder White was sworn in on July 7, replacing retired Justice Rita Garman in the 4th District. In December, Democrat Joy Cunningham will replace Burke in District 1.

Illinois is one of 18 states that does not consider candy to be food, meaning residents pay 6.25% in sales tax on confectionery items. But treats prepared with flour are recognized as food, not candy. Grocery items are typically taxed at 1%, but the 1% grocery tax was suspended in July for a year as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year “Family Relief Plan.”

According to the Tax Foundation’s 2023 State Business Tax Climate rankings, Illinois ranked 36th in the nation for business tax climate – down seven spots from the 2018 rankings. The rankings use five major taxes: corporate, income, sales, property and unemployment insurance.

“In the governor’s campaign, heads Illinois loses; tails, it also loses. Ditto in the last two presidential races.”

Among other items, the SAFE-T Act makes multiple changes to policing, with the goal of decreasing police misconduct and violence, and narrows the felony murder law.

“A recent Illinois Broadcasters Association-Research America Inc. poll reports that the No. 1 issue of importance for Illinoisans is not abortion. Fiscal mismanagement, taxes and spending top people’s list of concerns. The poll then lists crime, jobs and the economy, gun control and health care as the next most important issues for Illinois residents. But you won’t hear the Democratic governor or candidates from his party talk about these problems or why they supported bills that created them.”

As Illinois’ highest court, the Supreme Court could potentially rule on cases related to abortion access or any other major issues like civil rights, gun regulations, voting laws, criminal justice reforms and more.

One flash point: the SAFE-T Act. Attorney Thomas Devore said if he becomes attorney general, he would join the state’s attorneys now suing to overturn the SAFE-T Act. Incumbent Kwame Raoul said, “I do believe it’s constitutional, and I will defend it in court.”

“If the politicians want to correct the inequities in policing and criminal justice that exist in our society – and they should – they are going about it all wrong. Instead of addressing bias against black and brown people, they are treating that bias like a foregone conclusion.”

“(Gov. JB) Pritzker was so strident in his lockdown and mandate measures that Joe Biden chose to travel to Illinois last year to announce his vax mandate policy for every medium- and large-size employer in America. Thankfully, that draconian and illegal mandate was struck down by the Supreme Court, but Pritzker supported it and there is little doubt that a second term for him would mean a vaccine mandate for all school children in Illinois.”

“Behind the scenes on both sides, there is a sense that a Republican wave could be building as concerns about inflation and the economy, as well as crime, are becoming the issues driving voters.”