Will County Gazette

Will County Board member Stephen Balich wants his "classmate" to oust Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Balich, who is seeking re-election, is a retired 30-year Teamster who calls himself a conservative Republican. He told the Will County Gazette that he was excited to hear that Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is considering a primary challenge to Rauner, describing her as being part of his same class of conservatives.

“Jeanne Ives is not only a true conservative, but she speaks directly to the problems that people want to have addressed,” Balich said. “Gov. Rauner is better than a socialist/progressive Democrat, but Ives is far better than every rich, far-removed candidate for governor. Holding my nose is not an option in this primary.”

Stephen Balich

Balich said a Republican like Ives needs to win to ensure the party has a chance when redstricting takes place again in 2020.

“If a Democrat governor wins, they draw the map that will set the Republicans back till 2032,” Balich said. “We are now trying to win enough seats to become the majority after the last map the Dems drew.”

Balich believes Ives throwing her hat in ring would give the GOP the push it needs.

“Republicans must win or be almost a nonexistent party in the state,” Balich said. “Do we Republicans and citizens want a Democrat like Rauner or a fresh new voice for change?”

He said the present socialist/progressive agenda is tearing apart the traditional culture, morals and values that once made the state a solid place to live.

“As Illinois moves to more and more political correctness, regulation and higher taxes, more and more citizens will leave,” Balich said. “Soon, the public-sector employees, who in my opinion are the upper class, will have less people outside their ranks to tax. Standing up for God, country and the Constitution are as important as stopping over-regulation and increased taxes.”

Over-regulation in particular is stripping the state culture, he contended.

“As we regulate business to the point that there can't be a profit, they (citizens) will leave,” Balich said. “When we bankrupt our state, we welcome illegals and force taxpayers to pay for abortion on demand. We all question how we can pay for new social programs when we can't pay our current bills.”