Kane County Reporter

Jeanette Ward is offering newly elected 25th District state Senator and former rival Karina Villa bit of early advice.

“Given the results from the tax hike amendment vote results, I hope she hears the message from voters that they are opposed to her party’s tax-and-spend agenda and that she will take that into account as she serves,” Ward told the Kane County Reporter.

The former Elgin-based U-46 school board member fell short of earning the right to replace Republican Jim Oberweis, finishing with 56,461 votes (49.3%) to Villa's 57,967 (50.4%). Despite the hiccup, Ward vowed to fight on.

“I will always defend freedom, faith and family, whether as an elected official or private citizen,” she added, “And freedom, faith and family are under siege in Illinois.”

Throughout her campaign, Ward made herself a vocal critic of the progressive tax plan promoted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker as a measure that would only mean higher rates for the state’ richest residents.

From the very beginning, Ward made clear the reasons for her objections.

“Before long, there’ll be an increase on taxes for everyone because we’ll be giving the legislature a blank check to whatever they please with taxes,” she said. “It won’t be long before they’ll even be taxing retirement income.”

Ward vowed to do all she could to keep the plan that required approval from 60% of those who voted on the issue or a majority of those who voted in the election overall from passing.

“I just hope that the people of Illinois are smart enough not to vote another tax on themselves,” Ward said. “The Democrat Party is the party of tax and spend and we’re already paying the price. Illinois is already home to one of the highest tax rates in the country and consequently that makes us have one of the highest outmigration rates anywhere.”