McHenry Times

Dundee Township resident Jay Powell is joining the growing list of those supporting Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) in her bid to become governor.

Powell, who has lived in the township since 1976, recently penned a letter to the Dundee Township Republican Organization that read: “I’ve never written a political letter before but I find that I am at the crossroads that so many others are also standing at right now.”

Powell added the question for him has become should he stay or leave Illinois for a state he deems to be offering better prospects.

“(Gov.) Bruce Rauner was supposed to reform Illinois, instead he has betrayed the trust of its citizens time and time again, caving to the pressures of (House Speaker Mike) Madigan and the contemptuous General Assembly,” he wrote. “Rauner has even gone so far as to push his own progressive leftist policies with the passage of the HB40 bill."

Powell added he is still dealing with the sting of the tax bill Rauner signed into law over the summer after several Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats to ram through its passage, despite critics’ charge that it carries no reform measures.

“For me personally the 2018 election is an all or nothing contest and possibly the last opportunity to save our great state from total collapse,” Powell added. “How could I justify staying in Illinois under yet another progressive left-wing governor.”

Finally, Powell stressed that he has no ties to Ives and is only motivated by his desire to see the state do better for its frustrated residents.

“It is my hope that the Dundee Township Republican Organization will consider following the example of the Freemont Township Republican Organization by endorsing Jeanne Ives for governor in 2018,” he added. “I will not, under any circumstances, vote for Bruce Rauner if he gets the nomination.”