By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – One Illinois State Senator is hoping the upcoming Governors race get’s ride of the negative outlook that Illinois residents have on the state.
Four members will be on the ballot, when voters go to the ballot box in Nov., but Illinois State Senator Jason Barickman representing the 53rd district said voters need to choose which candidate can ‘paint a picture of where our state can go.’
“The people of the state they want some optimism and they want too I believe elect a leader who can move our state forward,” said Barickman speaking with WJBC’s Scott Laughlin. “There is a cloud hanging over our state. There is a cloud hanging over our community. You talk to people and people’s first inclination is to go negative [and] to talk about things that go wrong and the things that are broken. I think that the public is despite for a voice of optimism that can paint a picture of their vision of where the state can go.”
Despite having a state credit rating saddling junk, Barickman still believes Gov. Bruce Rauner has the right vision to grow Illinois.
“I’ve encouraged the Governor to focus on his vision for our state, which I do think is a good one,” said Barickman. “He believes that we need to turn our economy around not through tax increases but through reforms. I think that is a good vision. He needs to walk the public from that vision to how we get there. I think the public will reward that type of leadership that might be demonstrated at the top of the ticket. It’s up to the candidates to do so.”
Barickman added that he estimates the two major political parties will have spent the most money in history in campaigns.
“I think when it is over we will say that they (referring to Gov. Rauner and Democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker will have spent the two major party candidates will have spent over $300 million on this election. Stunning numbers,” noted Barickman.
Voters will have a chance to make their decision on Nov. 6 when they choose from Gov. Rauner, Democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker, Libertarian candidate Kash Jackson and Conservative Sam McCann.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
