McHenry Times

Endorsed by the Illinois Federation for Right to Life, National Taxpayers United of Illinois, the Chicago Tribune, the Pro-Life Victory PAC and the National Rifle Association, House District 63 candidate Steven Reick looks strong going into Tuesday's Republican primary.

Born and raised in Illinois, Reick, a tax attorney with his own private practice, believes the hurdles in his life have enabled him to “advocate for those who don’t have all the advantages, who worry if their next paycheck may be their last.” But above all else, Reick wants change.

“The time for upholding the status quo is past, and (current Democrat state Rep.) Jack Franks is nothing if he’s not the status quo,” Reick wrote on his website. “He’s voted nine times for the current (House) speaker, he’s voted nine times for the rules that allow the speaker to keep needed legislation from getting a fair hearing. He’s not made any substantive proposals for fixing the way we fund schools, and has not only stood in the way of true pension reform, he’s voted to divert money from the pensions to fund teachers’ salaries. It’s time for a change.”

While the state is plagued by a litany of problems, Reick believes property taxes are the most important issue facing voters in McHenry County.

“The biggest driver of higher property taxes is education and pensions, which comprise on average 60 percent of the typical property tax bill in the county,” Reick said.

Crippling the people of southern Illinois even more is the lack of jobs because employers are leaving the state due to an unfavorable business climate.

"Government does not create jobs; it can only create the conditions in which people will be encouraged to take risks, invest capital and thus increase employment,” Reick wrote. “It seems that every time we turn around, the Democrat-controlled legislature throws roadblocks in the way of job creation. Employers are leaving the state, and our tax base erodes as a result. There's nothing that will kill jobs faster than an increased tax burden. We need lower rates and spending discipline."

In addition to lowering taxes, Reick said Illinois desperately needs to reform its pension system, public education and Medicaid.

In announcing its support of the second-time candidate, the Chicago Tribune said endorsing Reick was “an easy call.”

“Reick would bring common sense to Springfield and advocate for a separate revenue stream to pay down pension debt," the Chicago Tribune wrote. "Without a dedicated stream, taxpayer money will continue to get misspent, he says. Reick also is a champion of school choice and allowing tax money to follow each child so that familes can choose where the want to send their children. Reick is endorsed.”

Reick briefly withdrew from the race in November when he got wind that he would be running without support from the Illinois GOP. Having suffered a devastating loss to nine-term incumbent Jack Franks in 2014, Reick knew that without backing from the Republican Party, he would be unsuccessful this time around again.

But after some persuasion from the Illinois House Republican Organization, Reick reconsidered and filed his petition to have his name added to the ballot. Soon after, Reick found faced accusations that he had committed fraud in the submission of his nominating petitions for the Illinois General Assembly.

The State Board of Elections investigated the matter and reached the conclusion that Reick did have enough signatures to have his name placed on the ballot. Reick has blamed Franks and House Speaker Mike Madigan for the accusations.

“It’s my job to point out to the voters of this district that I’m worthy of their votes, and that attempts by Michael Madigan or Jack Franks to keep me off the ballot, or to hijack the primary election by placing one of their own on the Republican ballot will not succeed,” Reick wrote on his blog. “With your help, it won’t.”

Reick has also spoken out about his Republican opponent Jeffery Litchie, claiming he is a “fake Republican” and was planted by Franks to control the election and squash any real competition.

“It turns out that Mr. Lichte is a longtime supporter of Jack Franks; he and his wife regularly submit letters to the editor of the Northwest Herald praising Franks for this or that wonderful thing he’s done for the district (most of them of no consequence),” Reick wrote in another blog post. “Mr. Lichte has consistently voted in Democratic primaries and has placed Jack Franks’ signs in his front yard. His candidacy cannot be chalked up to a political epiphany.”

Ultimately, Reick hopes to go to Springfield to help Illinoisans accomplish the goals they aspire to reach.

“I’m running for office with the hope that what I do there can in some small way make it easier for some kid now watching his parents struggle to give him something they never had have a fighting chance of realizing his dream,” Reick said.