In the upcoming primary elections, four Republican candidates are vying for the opportunity to challenge Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in the November general election. This contest is set to shape the political landscape of the state as these contenders seek to capture the Republican nomination.

Over the course of the next two weeks, we will be engaging in discussions with each of these candidates to gain insights into their platforms and visions for Illinois. Our interviews aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of their policies and how they plan to address the state’s issues.

This week, our focus turns to Ted Dabrowski and Rick Heidner, two prominent figures in the race. Rick Heidner, a real estate developer hailing from Barrington Hills, is also known for his ownership of Gold Rush Gaming, a leading video gaming terminal operator in Illinois. His business acumen and industry experience are central to his campaign narrative.

On the other hand, Ted Dabrowski brings to the table his experience as the former president of Wirepoints, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to offering research and analysis on Illinois’ economy and government. His background in providing insightful commentary and in-depth research positions him as a knowledgeable candidate on state affairs.

Hills and the owner of Gold Rush Gaming. The company is one of the top video gaming terminal operators in Illinois. Ted Dabrowski is the former president of Wirepoints.

It’s an independent, nonprofit company which provides research and commentary about the state’s economy and government.

He also worked for the Illinois Policy Institute and Citibank.

Dabrowski is from north suburban Wilmette.

“This great state has fallen behind.,” Dabrowski said. “We’re losing people, we’re losing businesses, we may lose the Bears, we’re on the wrong trajectory right now and I want to help change that, I want to fix that. We should be a top five state.”

Dabrowski says he’s traveled the state and the biggest complaint people have is that they can’t afford to live in Illinois, and they’re leaving.

“So we have to bring down the taxes. Number two is opportunity for jobs. We’re not creating jobs anymore. If you look at job creation under Governor Pritzker, we’re at the bottom of the country. The bottom five. We’re seeing other states just balloon and blossom. And the third thing, I’m a passionate advocate for literacy in kids. We’re not teaching our kids to read in our schools anymore. We have to get back to these kitchen table issues. We should be one of the best places for education and we’re not.”

Dabrowski is the son of immigrants; “that said, I like controlled borders, I like closed borders, I like legal immigration. We need a good plan on immigration, Law and order are key when it comes around to immigration.”

“What I want to bring here to Illinois is some business sense. I want to bring business back to Illinois. And I want to build, build, build,” Dabrowski said.

He added that the last legislative session was about, “How much more money they’re going to take from you. And I never hear how they’re going to make money. How are they going to make more money for us? And build Illinois.”

If elected, he says the first thing he would do is put a freeze all taxes.

“No tax increases at all. Then i want to go through every single solitary department and I want to go through it with a fine tooth comb. And i want to get rid of any waste or any fat that’s there’s there.”

He says some tax incentives will be needed to bring more businesses here. Heidner says he is not in favor of Illinois being a sanctuary state.

He is not in favor of the Safe-T Act. “I want people to be safe, I want our citizens to be safe.”