West Cook News

Eric Su, a candidate for House District 21, said that Illinois can stabilize its finances and protect essential services through targeted revenue fixes, pension reform, and efficiency measures. This statement was made in an original release.

"Illinois faces tough budget challenges, but with smart, responsible choices, we can protect services, support families, and stabilize our future," said Su. "We can balance the books without hurting working families today. We need a system that works, not one that keeps repeating the same problems. We can spend smarter, not just spend less."

According to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Illinois' 2024 budget outlook reflects slowing revenue growth and rising pressures from pensions, Medicaid, and agency costs. These factors create risks of future deficits despite recent balanced budgets. Forecasts suggest expenditures could outpace revenues within a few years unless structural reforms are implemented. These challenges will test the state’s fiscal stability through Fiscal Year 2028.

The commission also reported that Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities reached approximately $143.7 billion in FY2024 across the five state systems, nearly triple the level from 2010. Despite market gains, obligations continue to climb due to past underfunding and changes in actuarial assumptions. Funding ratios remain among the lowest in the nation according to their 2024 Special Pension Briefing.

Illinois concluded FY2024 with roughly $4.7 billion in cash reserves, including a record $2.1 billion rainy-day fund, equal to about 9% of FY2025 spending. WTTW and the Pew Charitable Trusts reported that while this marks historic progress for Illinois, it still falls below the national median of 13.2% of spending. The state has improved its fiscal cushion but continues to lag behind many peers.

Su is described as a husband, father, small-business owner, and lifelong Illinoisan who has spent over two decades helping people improve their health through his fitness business. A Purdue graduate and youth football coach, he has mentored children, supported families, and built community programs aimed at bringing neighbors together. Su is running for State Representative with a focus on lowering property taxes, improving school outcomes, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring government spending transparency and accountability.

House District 21 covers parts of Chicago’s Southwest Side and surrounding suburbs such as Berwyn, Cicero, Brookfield, La Grange, Bedford Park, Bridgeview, North Riverside, Riverside, and Summit. The seat is currently held by Abdelnasser Rashid who was first elected in 2022 and serves in the Illinois General Assembly. According to Rashid’s official district page, the area blends diverse residential neighborhoods with industrial corridors.