McLean County Times

Ted Dabrowski, a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, announced his intention to address key issues such as property taxes, literacy in McLean County Unit School District 5, and prioritizing the needs of Illinois citizens. The announcement was made during a Freedom Rally at the Lake Davis Lodge in Hudson.

"I am running for governor for the middle-income family in Hudson who's getting fleeced by the highest property taxes in the nation," said Dabrowski. "I am running to restore literacy in schools because only a third of students in McClean County USD 5 can read at grade level. And I am running so that the government will prioritize Illinois citizens first, not criminals and illegal immigrants."

According to Capitol News Illinois, Dabrowski's candidacy emerges as Illinois approaches the 2026 gubernatorial cycle, with Republicans seeking a formidable opponent to Governor J.B. Pritzker's policies. Dabrowski, who leads Wirepoints and is known for advocating data-driven reforms on taxes, pensions, and education, declared his candidacy in September 2025. He has joined the GOP primary field as a fiscal conservative focused on affordability, school performance, and public safety for families across communities like Hudson.

The Tax Foundation reports that property tax pressures are a significant concern for voters in Illinois. Recent data from the foundation indicates that Illinois has the highest effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing in 2023 at 1.83%, surpassing New Jersey and Connecticut. This high tax rate results in substantial annual bills for homeowners relative to home values and contributes to migration pressures compared with neighboring states. This ranking highlights Dabrowski’s focus on providing relief for middle-income families in areas like Hudson.

Literacy challenges in McLean County Unit District No. 5 reflect broader statewide proficiency issues. Publicly available metrics show that approximately one-third of Unit 5 students meet reading proficiency benchmarks, consistent with district-level snapshots indicating about 31% reading proficiency. These statistics underscore Dabrowski’s emphasis on "restoring literacy in schools" as a central issue for local families in Hudson and surrounding areas such as Normal and Bloomington.

Dabrowski serves as president of Wirepoints, an Illinois research organization dedicated to fiscal policy, taxes, pensions, and governance analysis. He frequently examines budget trends and public finance data while advocating market-oriented reforms. Utilizing this expertise, Dabrowski enters the 2026 governor’s race as a problem solver focused on scrutinizing spending and prioritizing taxpayers' interests. His campaign underscores affordability, accountability in educational outcomes, and placing Illinoisans first in state policy decisions.