South Cook News

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau (R) is hoping voter anger over the state’s high taxes and inflation felt under President Joe Biden will drive his campaign to represent the 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Families across IL-06 are struggling to make ends meet thanks to Biden’s sky-high inflation and Illinois’ record high taxes,” Pekau posted on Facebook. “I’m focused on growing our economy, fighting inflation and lowering taxes, just like I have here in Orland Park.”

With inflation on some levels as hot as it's been in nearly four decades, Bank of America economists expect to see the Federal Reserve hike interest rates at every meeting for the remainder of the year, according to Fox Business.

"The Fed has all but admitted that it is seriously behind the curve," Bank of America economists wrote. "This should affect the economy with a lag, weighing on 2023 growth.”

According to Illinois Policy Institute, since Pritzker was swept into office in 2018, Illinois taxpayers have been hit with at least $5.24 billion in added costs stemming from the 24 new or increased taxes and fees he has supported. Illinois Policy said the price tag could have swelled by another $3 billion if the progressive income tax he backed was approved by voters.

State taxes and fees have jumped on everything from gas to vehicle registration, parking, marijuana, gambling, online shopping and business.

Illinois is now home to the second highest gas taxes and the fifth-highest fee for vehicle registration in the country. While the governor has argued the increases were needed to help balance state budgets and fund his $45 billion infrastructure plan, the budget hasn't been balanced.  

In 2019, the Tax Foundation reported Illinois had the 10th-highest tax burden in the country, with residents forced to fork over 11% of their income to state and local taxes.

First elected Orland Park Mayor in 2017, Pekau worked with the Orland Park Village Board to reduce the operational budget by 14% and debt by over $50 million.

In addition to refusing to take a pension for himself, Pekau has worked with the newly elected board to eliminate pensions for all Village of Orland Park elected officials.

During his tenure, crime has also sharply fallen in Orland Park, with the village being named the safest city in Illinois in 2020 as crime rates over that period fell to their lowest levels in over 27 years.

Pekau is vowing to bring his diverse experiences as a combat veteran, business owner and mayor to Washington.

“Keith will fight inflation and reduce taxes on hard-working Americans,” his campaign posted on its website. "With reckless spending by Democrats in Washington leading to the highest inflation since 1980, working families are struggling to keep up with rising grocery and gas prices. Keith will work to grow the economy and create good-paying, middle-class jobs.”