Prairie State Wire

Illinoisans' are struggling economically but Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has hopes of being able to restore the state's economy.

Bailey blames Gov. J.B. Pritzker for policies that he thinks are not helping the state and its people. 

"We can debate whether or not we are in a recession all day long, but the truth is people are feeling the impact of failing policies at the state and federal level," Bailey said. "They are feeling the cost of gas at the pump. They are feeling the impact of skyrocketing power bills and they are frustrated. There is a sense of helplessness out there as struggling families have no idea what to do. One thing is for sure, their economic situation is only going to get worse if JB Pritzker gets a second term because all he has to offer is more of the same bad policies that have created this crisis in the first place. We need a change in leadership, and we need it now."

From April through June of 2022, the U.S. gross domestic product decreased at a pace of 0.9% each month. For the third consecutive month, the University of Illinois' Flash Index decreased, falling from 105.7 in May to 105.5 this month.

The gross domestic product is falling in 47 states, including Illinois, raising concerns about a possible recession, The Center Square reported.

Illinois' GDP dropped by 2.5% overall in the first quarter of 2022, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“Small businesses that are discretionary spending, whether it be restaurants or even movie theaters or what have you – I would be most concerned about those folks who would be exposed to a consumer who thinks inflation is here to stay,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Todd Maisch told The Center Square.

Bailey has decried Pritzker’s policies in the face of economic constraints. 

“Being woke is not an economic plan but unfortunately it is all JB Pritzker has to offer," he said. "As governor, I will work to ensure state government agencies are more responsive to prospective businesses wanting to locate here and I will reduce business regulations and lower taxes to bring new jobs and new opportunities to Illinois. There is little Illinois can do to prevent a recession but there is a lot our state can do to minimize the effects of a recession on our state. Having a robust economy would help minimize the impact of a recession on our state’s economy but to get to that point, we need more than the far left talking points coming from JB Pritzker."