Addresses Taxes, Education, and Crime
Ted Dabrowski, Republican candidate for Illinois governor, visited Macomb on Monday, stopping first at the Macomb Republican Headquarters before hosting a Meet-and-Greet at Sports Corner that evening. The Community News Brief spoke with Dabrowski about his campaign and his plans to tackle the state’s pressing challenges.
Dabrowski, who lives in Wilmette, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago is the son of immigrant parents from Poland and Ecuador. He spent 16 years in international banking helping modernize the economies of Mexico and Poland. For the past 15 years, he has championed pro-family, pro-freedom, and progrowth reforms in Illinois public policy.
Most recently, Dabrowski served as president of Wire Points, a nonpartisan nonprofit that publishes research and analysis on Illinois’ financial and economic condition. He resigned to run for governor.
He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. Dabrowski has been married for 30 years and is the father of four.
Why run for governor?
“I’ve spent 15 years working on Illinois issues,” Dabrowski said. “I started at the Illinois Policy Institute and then Wirepoints, focusing on high taxes, stagnant job growth, and corruption. The biggest problem is population loss. My parents immigrated here in 1960, when Illinois was a beacon of opportunity. Now, people are leaving.”
He criticized Governor Pritzker’s record: “Property taxes have increased, gas taxes doubled, and energy prices are rising. Our kids can’t read, and Pritzker dismisses that. I supported Darren Bailey in the last election, but he couldn’t win. So I decided to run because no one else is fixing these problems.”
Population loss and higher education Macomb’s population decline, partly due to falling enrollment at Western Illinois University and faculty job losses during the Rauner administration’s budget impasse, concerns Dabrowski.
“It’s not just universities,” he said. “People leave because Illinois is too expensive. We have the highest property taxes, doubled gas taxes, and high cell phone taxes. If people can’t afford to live here, they leave. We must stop that outflow.”
Regarding higher education, Dabrowski said, “We need to make it affordable so students stay to study and work here. Illinois is the biggest loser of young people under 18 in the country. That’s tragic.”
Plans to lower taxes “We have the most units of government in the country,” Dabrowski said. “There’s Continued from page 2
Dabrowski
duplication and bureaucracy driving up salaries and pensions. Superintendents make $300,000 to $400,000 while only 20% of kids read at grade level. Double dipping and pension spiking must end. We need fairness between public sector pay and what everyday Illinoisans can afford.”
Asked if cutting property taxes means cutting services, he replied, “The goal isn’t to reduce services but to eliminate waste. For example, in my North Shore district, seven school districts mean seven bureaucracies with superintendents making six figures. Consolidation would save money and reduce duplication.”
He emphasized attracting people and businesses through lower taxes. “States like Tennessee and the Carolinas are growing because they’re attractive. Illinois must flip its mentality.”
Preferred tax structure
“I’d love zero income tax because taxing labor reduces work,” Dabrowski said. “Property taxes are painful, so we must bring them down. Sales taxes are better if we have growth—people choose how much they consume. Florida and Tennessee have no income tax and attract people.”
Working with the president Dabrowski said he would cooperate with President Trump on crime and illegal immigration, unlike Governor Pritzker. “I’d hand illegal alien criminals over to law enforcement, not release them. The Safety Act eliminated cash bail and created a revolving door for criminals. Chicago leads the nation in murders for 13 years. Pritzker protects criminals instead of residents.”
Asked about federal troops, he said, “I’d push to repeal the Safety Act and create safety first. If I couldn’t fix it, I’d work with the president. Pritzker foments violence by opposing federal law enforcement. That’s dangerous.”
Infrastructure priorities
“There was a $40 billion infrastructure plan, but spending rose from $39 billion to $55 billion under Pritzker,” Dabrowski said. “We need a commission to investigate where the money went before approving more spending. Chicago Public Schools are missing a billion dollars. Transparency and efficiency come first.”
Education crisis
Macomb School District 185 has only 31% of students proficient in reading and 20% in math. “That means 70-80% are not at grade level,” Dabrowski said. “Yet 83% graduate. That’s unfair. We spend $20,000 per student, but results are poor.”
He wants to focus on phonics and set ambitious literacy goals. “If kids can’t read by third grade, they can’t do science or geography later. We must obsess over literacy and numeracy.”
Dabrowski supports school choice, vouchers, and education savings accounts to foster innovation and competition. “Illinois let school choice die two years ago. That was a huge mistake. Homeschooling is also important for educational freedom.”
Bridging political divides
“I use data to persuade,” Dabrowski said. “Illinois ranks highest in property taxes in many metro areas. I want to unite people who want a thriving state, regardless of party. I’m half Hispanic, speak Spanish, and can connect with diverse communities.”
Local journalism concerns
Dabrowski expressed concern about the decline of local news. “Wirepoints became a data-driven replacement for local reporting on property taxes and school results, but we can’t replace local stories. The state shouldn’t prop up local media; government involvement risks bias.”
He advocates for data transparency and media based on facts rather than opinion.
Abortion stance
“I believe life begins at conception,” Dabrowski said. “Illinois allows extreme abortion policies, including third-trimester and partial-birth abortions, and spends state money on abortions. The number of abortions has doubled in seven years. We need to respect life and support mothers with opportunities.”
