LOUISVILLE – Illinois has been so focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that the state's citizens have heard literally nothing about their future, State Rep. Darren Bailey said in a statement Friday. Bailey said the situation is such a huge challenge he’s calling for a Statewide Day of Prayer.
“I understand addressing the immediate health consequences of the virus is a priority, but we must not lose focus on what we need to do to restore Illinois to prosperity and inspire recovery. Also, calling out to God for help is simply accessing a Divine resource that is ours for the asking,” said Bailey (R-Louisville).
Bailey said there are specific governmental actions to take, but effort to recapture "Hope for Illinois" should include reaching out to Heaven, which he would like to see happen on Friday, April 24.
“We know from Scripture, the Holy Word of God, the Lord hears us when we call out,” said Bailey. “'For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,' God's Word says in Matthew 18:20."
Bailey said Illinois leaders also need to recognize the fact that even before the pandemic, Illinois was not on sound financial footing, and therefore responsibility for restoration also lies with elected leaders.
The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI), a public policy think tank with offices in Chicago and Springfield, recently reported Illinois had one of the worst private-sector state economies in the nation last year, ranking 47th out of the 50 states.
“Driving the Illinois downturn was the nation’s worst loss of manufacturing jobs – a gut punch for the state’s middle class. Illinois was down 13,100 manufacturing jobs in 2019,” the IPI report stated.
Rep. Bailey said there are specific steps to get Illinois on the road to recovery.
“Our economic revival should begin with removing the state income tax ballot question scheduled for November,” said Bailey. “The state’s entrepreneurs and employers need to be assured of a consistent business climate. There are too many unknown impacts with a brand new income tax structure, which is surely going to hit small businesses hard at a time when they will still be recovering from a months-long shutdown of the state and national economy.”
Bailey is running for state senator in the November 2020 election.
