Prairie State Wire

Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for governor of Illinois, has emphasized the need for the state to regain its competitiveness by lowering taxes, reforming pensions, and improving literacy in schools. He made these remarks during a recent meet-and-greet event in Northbrook. 

"Illinois should be a top-5 state for jobs, good wages, education and economic growth," said Dabrowski. "Unfortunately, seven years of Gov. Pritzker's failed policies have left us a bottom-5 state in all the metrics that matter. As Governor, I will work to improve Illinois' competitiveness by cutting taxes, reforming pensions and bringing back literacy to Illinois schools."

Meet-and-greet events have become central to Dabrowski's 2026 gubernatorial campaign strategy. According to local GOP groups and civic hosts, these events provide opportunities for discussing policy and signing petitions. Recent events have taken place across Illinois, including in Wheeling Township and the cities of Decatur and Macomb. These gatherings focus on direct question-and-answer sessions about taxes, schools, crime, and jobs while also building volunteer networks ahead of the March 2026 primary.

Independent ratings indicate that Illinois ranks in the bottom third for overall tax competitiveness. The Tax Foundation’s 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index places Illinois at 37th overall due to weak scores on corporate, property, sales, and unemployment insurance taxes. Although the index measures tax structure rather than burden, it is widely used as an indicator of how tax codes might influence investment decisions. This contrasts with top-ranked states that feature simpler systems with lower rates.

Illinois faces significant pension challenges as well. Pew’s 2025 analysis shows that the state's unfunded pension liability equals approximately 197% of its own-source revenue—the highest share in the United States. This metric highlights how retirement costs impact budgets and credit standing. Despite recent market improvements lifting funded ratios nationally, Illinois' long-term pension gap complicates fiscal planning.

Dabrowski is a Republican candidate known for his focus on state and local governance issues. He previously served as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute and has experience in international finance. His campaign launched in September 2025 with a platform centered on competitiveness, affordability, and education reform.

Illinois is home to a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, technology, and finance sectors. Governed by a constitutional framework with a governor and General Assembly, Illinois provides services across business sectors such as education and public safety through independent agencies.