Prairie State Wire

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, addressed the challenges faced by small towns as industries leave the state. He pledged to enhance competitiveness during a meet and greet at Lailas Bar and Grill in Stronghurst, Illinois.

"Rural communities across Illinois are losing jobs and people as small-time industry continues to disappear," said Dabrowski. "Illinois manufacturing positions have fallen by nearly 18,000 jobs since Gov. Pritzker took office in 2019. As governor, I will work to improve Illinois' competitiveness so businesses will come back to Illinois. We need to restore opportunity to our small towns and main streets."

According to Dabrowski, small towns are struggling due to job and population losses. The event attracted locals concerned about the decline in manufacturing and the state's business climate. Dabrowski emphasized his commitment to restoring rural opportunities.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Illinois has seen a reduction of approximately 18,000 manufacturing jobs since 2019. This decline is part of broader challenges affecting the Midwest's industrial base, including automation, energy costs, and trends in business relocation.

Illinois has experienced an accelerated population decline in recent years, particularly impacting rural counties. Between 2020 and 2023, the state lost over 100,000 residents, with rural communities bearing the brunt of job losses and limited new investment opportunities.

Dabrowski is a Republican gubernatorial candidate with expertise in fiscal policy. As president of Wirepoints and a former executive at the Illinois Policy Institute, he has been an advocate for job growth, fiscal reform, and local economic revival.

The State of Illinois has been led by Governor J.B. Pritzker since 2019. The state continues to face challenges in manufacturing and population retention as it seeks to attract investment and rebuild its business competitiveness.