Restoring state pride

There are transformational changes on the horizon in Illinois.

Within seconds of crossing the state line into Michigan, the state motto, “Pure Michigan,” greets visitors and welcomes back residents. The Michigan flag can be seen flying high at residential homes and businesses. Wisconsinites have so much state pride they wear cheeseheads to public events.

But while most Illinois residents can identify the iconic bear on the California state flag and the lone star on the flag of Texas, they have no recognition of their own state flag. That’s why the Illinois Policy Institute is launching a campaign to restore state pride.

It’s not difficult to see why Illinois residents lack pride. Quite simply, they are overtaxed, overlitigated and overregulated. It doesn’t help that Illinoisans’ recent leaders have moved directly from the governor’s mansion to the state penitentiary.

But there are transformational changes on the horizon in Illinois.

Taxpayers are finally being considered as an equal partner in state government. On Jan. 1, residents saw their income-tax rates drop to 3.75 percent from 5 percent, saving the average Illinois family over $1,000 per year. On top of that, there is a truly balanced state-budget proposal on the table for the first time in over a decade.

To launch our campaign, the Illinois Policy Institute put a billboard on Interstate 55, just north of Springfield, telling lawmakers our mission.

State flags are now prominently displayed in both our Springfield and Chicago offices.

Illinois is at a turning point, and the Illinois Policy Institute is working to restore state pride, providing fiscally responsible public-policy solutions and rallying around our state flag.