Southern Illinois News

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, announced his campaign priorities at the Lincoln Day Dinner hosted by Marion County Republicans at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem. He said that he is running to support middle-income families, address the SAFE-T Act, and prioritize Illinois citizens.

"I am running for governor for the middle-income family in Salem who's getting fleeced by the highest property taxes in the nation," said Dabrowski. "I am running so Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps can be free of the SAFE-T Act and bring real safety back to the county. And I am running so that government will prioritize Illinois citizens first, not criminals and illegal immigrants."

According to recent analysis, Illinois homeowners face one of the nation's highest property-tax burdens. The state's average effective property-tax rate stands at 1.83%, marking it as the highest statewide rate in the country for 2023. This translates to approximately $4,584 annually on a median-priced $250,500 home. Neighboring states generally have lower effective rates, which increases cross-border competitiveness and household cost pressures for Illinois families. These elevated local levies, combined with income and sales taxes, contribute to ongoing affordability concerns and make tax relief a central issue for voters across the state.

The SAFE-T Act in Illinois eliminated statewide cash bail on September 18, 2023. It was replaced with a risk-based pretrial release system following a review by the Illinois Supreme Court. Judges now determine detention based on flight risk or specific threats after a hearing, without financial conditions being imposed. Supporters argue that this change promotes fairness; however, opponents, including many in law enforcement, contend that it strains public safety and resources. The law remains a focal point in county-level debates as community impacts and implementation are closely monitored by local officials.

Dabrowski is recognized as a conservative policy leader and executive known for analyzing Illinois' fiscal and governance challenges. As president of Wirepoints, he led research on taxes, pensions, and economic competitiveness, receiving praise for providing clear and data-driven solutions. His background includes serving as vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute and holding international finance leadership roles with Citibank in Mexico and Poland for 16 years. With advanced degrees including an MBA from Wharton School of Business, Dabrowski brings private-sector rigor to reform-minded public policy initiatives.