JoeMal said:
It's a personal choice. Don't hate me for the decision I made. I certainly don't have a family farm in IL to worry about, but I do have ALL of my family there. But you know what? I have my own life to live. IL wasn't giving me a job, IL wasn't supporting my freedoms, IL wasn't giving me the political peace-of-mind I wanted. So I did something about it.
And no, there is nothing I can do to make IL any better. You may think you're helping, but you're not. Until you can get Chicago to be its own state, everyone else in IL will be at their mercy. I've voted many, many times with my heart in the past and look where you're at.
Nobody is making you leave. Stay if it makes you happy. Just don't hate on those who can't find that same happiness from a state that hasn't given them anything.
This.
Totally this.
Unfortunately, regardless of how much I write to my reps, I'm fairly sure these two laws will pass. Got out of the House fairly easy, didn't it?
I missed my chance to go to IGOLD, but unfortunately I had things going on that I couldn't reschedule. Since I don't have a job, I certainly had the time to devote!
But honestly, I would totally love to have the attitude that I can make a difference. That, a few of us can make a difference. That, many of us can make a difference. Maybe so, but not here in Illinois. I absolutely hate having a defeatist attitude about it, but it's just not happening. I know politicians are corrupt in places other than here, but I highly doubt in the magnitude IL/Chicago politicians are. And despite governors getting indicted and jailed from it, it make such a little difference. We went from one bad governor to a worse one. It's just going to happen over and over again. Everyone has said the immeasurable influence Chicago has over the rest of the state, it's very true. I'm kind of on the outer skirts of Chicagoland (Not quite, but pretty close) -- if you're north of I-80 and east of IL-47, you're going to REALLY feel it. But the thought that we, the informed Illinois citizens can really make a difference, is unfortunately a fallacy of false hope. And for people so tired of fighting, or those who finally realize there's nothing more they can do to improve things here in Illinois, leaving this state is the most sensible option.
So yeah, it does come down to choices. I would have already left if I could -- I have a mortgage that I don't think I can get out of, I have a daughter on the way, I'm virtually broke, and I've argued with my wife on MANY occasions about moving out of state. We both have most of our family here, and we're pretty close to both of our families. My wife's the one paying the bills too, barely. So for me, I honestly don't have a choice. What's one like me to do then to get out of state? I'd have to make some VERY tough choices.
ETA: I hope I wasn't political here. I apologize if I was -- and if anyone can help us get out of Illinois.... well, I'd be forever in your debt. lol