South Cook News

Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) has said that the increase in the price of school supplies adds to the burden of struggling families.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's measures are not enough to address the issues, according to Bailey. 

“The cost of school supplies is up $200 since 2019. This is a big concern for a lot of families who are struggling to make ends meet. The paltry sales tax holiday Pritzker is touting is not enough to help working families. We need real, substantial tax relief for Illinois families. Let’s go to Springfield and consider meaningful, permanent reforms to help struggling families. JB Pritzker talks about helping middle- and lower-income folks, but all of his policies have hit these hardworking families the hardest.”

According to the National Retail Federation, the cost of school supplies will increase by 40% by the end of 2022. Ester di Filippo, a Chicago resident and mother of two, estimated that the TI-84 calculator her daughter uses alone costs $150. 

“I do believe that it’s going to be a struggle and a different situation this year,” she said on Fox and Friends First, the New York Post reported.

It also doesn't help that inflation has pulled down a 0.9% decline in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. The University of Illinois' Flash Index fell for the third month in a row, falling from 105.7 in May to 105.5 this month. 

“Small businesses that are discretionary spending, whether it be restaurants or even movie theaters or what have you – I would be most concerned about those folks who would be exposed to a consumer who thinks inflation is here to stay,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch told The Center Square.

With the price of school supplies skyrocketing and inflation remaining unchecked, Bailey has gone on the offensive, attacking Pritzker's on these pressing issues. 

If seated as governor, he promised that he "will work to ensure state government agencies are more responsive to prospective businesses wanting to locate here," according to Prairie State Wire.

Bailey also promised to "reduce business regulations and lower taxes to bring new jobs and new opportunities to Illinois." He said that "Having a robust economy would help minimize the impact of a recession on our state’s economy but to get to that point, we need more than the far left talking points coming from JB Pritzker."