Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem. While working families stretch every dollar, Springfield squanders billions on bloated bureaucracies, political pet projects, and sweetheart deals for insiders.

Joshua T. Atkinson believes in one simple truth: Government should live within its means—just like you do.

The Problem: Waste, Debt, and Irresponsible Spending

• Illinois has one of the highest debt loads in the nation

• Billions are spent on duplicative programs and political contracts

• No-bid contracts and insider consulting fees drain public funds

• Budget "surpluses" are built on one-time gimmicks and federal bailouts

• Small towns and rural counties are short-changed while cities rake in funding

And what’s Andrew Chesney done about it? Nothing. He votes the party line while your tax dollars vanish.

Atkinson’s Plan: Cut Waste, Audit Everything, Invest Wisely

1. Zero-Based Budgeting

Josh will demand every department start from zero each year—no automatic increases, no blank checks. Every dollar must be earned and justified.

2. Independent Spending Audits

He’ll champion independent audits of state agencies, uncovering waste, duplication, and fraud. Transparency isn’t optional—it’s a necessity.

3. End No-Bid Contracts and Insider Payoffs

Atkinson will introduce legislation to ban no-bid contracts, expose crony payouts, and close the revolving door between government and political consultants.

4. Prioritize Spending That Works

He’ll protect funding for schools, first responders, infrastructure, and veterans—while eliminating fluff and failed programs.

5. Protect Rural Taxpayers

Josh will fight to ensure rural communities stop getting shortchanged while urban districts collect unfair slices of the state budget.

A Business-Minded Voice for Fiscal Sanity

“In business, if you run up debt and waste your customers’ money, you get fired. In Springfield, they get re-elected. That’s backwards. I’ll go to work every day to be a steward of your tax dollars—not a spender of them.”

— Joshua T. Atkinson

Let’s Balance the Books

It’s time to take the checkbook away from career politicians and put it back in the hands of responsible, commonsense leaders.

Let’s fire the political insiders—and elect Joshua T. Atkinson to restore fiscal responsibility to Springfield.