Effingham Co IL GOP

09/07/2026

Progress matters. So does perspective. After 12 credit upgrades, Illinois still holds the lowest state credit rating in the nation. Democrats have controlled both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly since 2003 and currently hold veto-proof supermajorities in both. How long before Illinois holds those in power accountable?

Know the record. Vote the record. November 3, 2026.

09/06/2026

IF ILLINOIS RANKS #5... WHY ARE WE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS?

Illinois families deserve transparency when it comes to education.

Individual schools across Illinois can show dramatically different percentages of students meeting state academic proficiency expectations. Those results are publicly available through the Illinois State Board of Education's Illinois Report Card.

In 2025, ISBE also changed the proficiency benchmarks used to determine whether students are considered proficient. According to ISBE, the underlying learning standards and tests did not change; the thresholds used to determine proficiency were recalibrated. ISBE projected that the new benchmarks would substantially change reported proficiency rates.

That raises reasonable questions:

• Why do some Illinois schools report extremely low proficiency percentages?

• What does Illinois' education ranking actually measure?

• Why were the state's proficiency benchmarks changed in 2025?

• Are Illinois students improving—or are we changing how success is measured?

These aren't attacks on teachers, students, or local schools. They are questions Illinois families and taxpayers deserve to have answered.

Know the facts. Ask questions. Demand transparency.

Illinois Report Card – Official ISBE school and district data:
https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/

ISBE Report Card Data Library – statewide and historical data:
https://www.isbe.net/pages/illinois-state-report-card-data.aspx

ISBE FAQ: New Unified Performance Levels and Proficiency Benchmarks:
https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Unified-Perf-Levels-FAQ.pdf =Right%2DSizing%20Illinois%E2%80%99%20Benchmarks%20for%20Proficiency%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions

ISBE explanation of the 2025 assessment and proficiency changes:
https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Assessment-Communications.aspx

09/05/2026

Economic development can bring opportunity. But taxpayers deserve to understand the full cost—including incentives, infrastructure, and the growing demands placed on Illinois' energy system.

Before major commitments are made, we should ask: Can we afford it? What will it cost? And ultimately, who pays?

Sources: Illinois DCEO, Data Center Investment Program reports, and CEJA energy program data.

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

Illinois is #1… but not for the reasons we should be proud of.

Know the Record. Vote the Record. November 3, 2026.

09/01/2026

As of July 2026, Illinois’ statewide combined average is 8.98% (up 0.43 percentage points since 2024), the 8th highest in the nation.

Note: Illinois shoppers pay the applicable combined state and local sales tax rate where they make a purchase.

09/01/2026

Know the Record. Vote the Record.
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Nov. 3, 2026