Chambana Sun

Republican candidate Mike Madigan, who is vying for the District 52 Senate seat, spoke out in May regarding Illinois' high unemployment rate.

The state shares its first-place position with Alaska, with both states maintaining a 6.6 percent unemployment rate. In addition, African Americans in Illinois have the highest unemployment rate in the nation, at 14.1 percent.

"Another dubious distinction for our once proud, productive and business-friendly state," Madigan said. "The choice this November is crystal clear: keep the defenders of Illinois' failed status quo or defeat them. I will go to Springfield as a non-career, citizen legislator and fight to renew Illinois. Please like and share with your friends, and ask them to support me for state senator."

Illinois is quickly approaching its second year without a budget. The failure of the Democratic-controlled legislature to maintain a balanced budget and its refusal to adopt pro-business measures are among the culprits blamed by Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration for businesses leaving the state.

Meanwhile, the lack of jobs is affecting the families who reside in Illinois. While entrepreneurial residents are looking for self-employment through websites such as Uber -- a popular rideshare alternative to taxis -- local governments are considering regulations that would require chauffeur's licenses and lengthy fingerprint-based background checks for the Uber drivers. Ted Dabrowski of the Illinois Policy Institute pointed out that state and local policies and regulations are pushing companies and entrepreneurs out of Illinois and into neighboring, business-friendly states.

Madigan, a small business owner himself, is running on a platform that embraces fairness, frugality and honesty in government. He faces Democratic incumbent Scott Bennett in the Nov. 8 election.