ILLINOIS – On Black Friday, as families begin their holiday spending, it’s worth taking a clear look at prices and how we got here. Yes, gas and grocery costs have ticked down recently—but only after years of sharp increases.
“Affordability” is the new political go-to term. But who created the crisis?
- Energy policies drove up gas and utility costs.
- Health-insurance mandates pushed premiums 2.5× faster than inflation while expanding benefits to non-citizens.
- Inflation and interest-rate decisions keep housing prices artificially high.
- Insurance regulations limit competition and hike premiums.
- Food-benefit policies increased dependency for millions, including non-citizens.
- Education financing policies have pushed college costs into unaffordable territory.
Yet these same politicians now claim affordability is their top priority.
Every policy they advance adds regulation, central control, and new costs—while their unrestrained spending erodes every family’s savings.
So the question is simple: Can Americans afford more of these expensive, centralized policies?
If Illinois chooses a different course—focused on fiscal responsibility, less regulation, and economic growth—residents can benefit as national price trends finally start to cool.
It’s time to change course. Real affordability won’t return until policy does.
For more information, please contact Rep. McLaughlin’s office at 224-634-8300.
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Rep. Martin McLaughlin serves the 52nd District, which includes portions of Lake, Cook, Kane, and McHenry Counties.