Joshua Griffith has questions about contributions Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) received from the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education (I-PACE) soon after she voted in favor of the record-setting state budget last summer.
“If you look at the State Board of Elections records, two donations she received from I-PACE for $10,000 and $15,000 came shortly after the budget deal was approved,” Griffith told the West Central Reporter. “It’s an education organization, and one of the biggest reasons that budget was being pushed forward was so schools could open on time.”
The state’s $36.1 billion budget also carries a 32 percent permanent income tax hike, yet another development that does not sit well with Griffith.
“I’m not going to raise taxes or take anymore from taxpayers,” Griffith, an Abingdon Republican challenging Hammond in the GOP primary in the 93rd District, said. “I will work for solutions and not have to put a band aid on things. She was the deciding vote, one of the 15 'surrender Republicans’ to vote in favor of the budget deal. Voters in the district are not pleased with that; they feel their interests were never considered.”
Griffith’s run against Hammond is his first at public office, though he argues he’s as motivated to go to Springfield and change things for the better as anyone could be.
“If my daughter was to graduate today, there would not be a lot of incentive for her to stay here, and it will get no better for our other kids,” he said. “I’m a native of Illinois. Seeing the state do well means something for me.”
As a whole, Griffith said he believes most people across the state have grown tired of all the dysfunction in Springfield and are now demanding to be heard.
“I plan to represent the people and make sure of that,” he said. “I want to make Illinois a destination state all over again.”
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