South Cook News

Keith Pekau, mayor of Orland Park, and Congressional candidate (IL-6), recently commented on inflation data.

"When President Biden entered office, inflation was 1.4%. In December, Biden said 6.8% would be 'the peak.' Today, prices are surging at 9.1%—the highest rate in over 40 years. This November we have an opportunity to reverse course, reduce inflation and put people over politics. Let's make it happen!" Pekau posted on July 13.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) summary on July 13, which found that costs have risen 9.1% in the last year, marking a 40-year high. In the last month, the cost of energy increased by 7.5%, gas prices rose 11.2%, and the cost of food increased by 1%. In the last year, the cost of gas has risen by 59.9%, while food prices have increased by 10.4%.

Business owners, facing increased costs in supplies, shipping, and other expenditures, could be forced to cut jobs, according to the Center Square. Todd Maisch, CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, said "the question for policy makers in Illinois" is whether they are going to raise taxes because of inflation, "or are we going to weather the storm and show that government can be on sound fiscal footing."

Illinoisans are paying an average of $4,386 more in 2022 than they paid in 2021 for the same goods and services due to price increases, according to Illinois Policy. The average Illinois resident will pay an extra $1,122 for gas this year, while also spending an additional $504 on groceries and $280 for utilities. These extra costs mean many people will dip into their savings and skip some recreational activities.

Pekau won the Republican nomination for Illinois' 6th Congressional House seat in June, and will face off against incumbent Democratic Rep. Sean Casten in the November general election.