Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, addressed residents at a Meet and Greet event held at the Holiday Inn in Effingham. He expressed concerns over the rising living costs attributed to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s energy and tax policies, pledging to focus on reducing expenses for families in Central Illinois.
“The residents of Effingham work hard every day to improve their lives and their community,” said Dabrowski. “Unfortunately, Gov. Pritzker’s failed policies have made living here harder than ever. His extreme green energy policies have caused residents’ electricity bills to skyrocket. And his gas tax hike – to the nation’s 2nd-highest – has made travel far more expensive.”
According to Dabrowski, local families are striving to improve their lives but are hindered by increasing costs resulting from state policies. Effingham County serves as a regional hub for agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics along two interstate corridors. These factors amplify the impact of cost-of-living changes on workers and small businesses. Dabrowski argued that high taxes and rising utility bills are diminishing the community’s competitiveness. He promised that if elected governor, he would prioritize Central Illinois instead of adhering to what he describes as a Chicago-centered political agenda.
Illinois drivers currently face some of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Analyses from the Tax Foundation and federal energy data indicate that total state and local taxes on gasoline in Illinois rank second only to California. The levies amount to roughly two-thirds of a dollar or more per gallon when all charges are considered. Neighboring states often impose lower taxes, creating a disparity for commuters and rural residents who depend on long drives for work, school, and farm operations. Dabrowski highlights these rankings when stating that a gas tax hike has significantly increased travel expenses.
Electric bills have also seen substantial increases for many Illinois households. A recent congressional report alongside state coverage revealed residential power bills rising by double digits, with some downstate customers experiencing increases of around one-fifth in a single summer due to climbing capacity and transmission costs. Policymakers continue debating major clean-energy and grid-modernization bills that introduce new surcharges while promising future savings. Supporters claim these plans will stabilize prices over time; however, conservative critics like Dabrowski argue that aggressive “green” mandates and additional charges are already causing electricity bills to escalate for working families.
Dabrowski is known as a conservative policy analyst and Republican gubernatorial candidate who previously led Wirepoints, an Illinois-based research organization focused on taxes, pensions, outmigration, and economic competitiveness. Before this role, he served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute and worked extensively in international banking with Citibank in Mexico and Poland—a background he claims taught him how jobs and investment migrate toward low-tax, pro-growth states. His campaign asserts that cutting the tax burden can revitalize Illinois by restoring public safety and fostering growth in communities like Effingham.
