DEMOCRATS CAUSED HIGH PRICES. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS BRINGING THEM DOWN — AND ILLINOIS IS FIGHTING HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

As affordability returns to America, Illinois remains trapped in policies that keep costs high and citizens dependent

By Staff Writer
December 18, 2025

When President Donald J. Trump returned to office, he inherited an economy battered by inflation, rising energy costs, shrinking wages, and declining affordability. The Biden administration left behind the worst inflation crisis in four decades — one fueled by unchecked federal spending, aggressive regulation, and energy policies that punished American producers and consumers alike.

Eleven months later, the national picture has changed dramatically.

Inflation has been cut by more than half. Gas prices have fallen to multi-year lows. Real wages are growing again. Household staples that once felt out of reach are finally coming down in price. For much of the country, relief is no longer theoretical — it is measurable.

Yet for millions of Americans living in deep-blue states like Illinois, that relief feels muted, delayed, or entirely absent.

And critics say that is no accident.

“PRESIDENT TRUMP TAMED INFLATION — BUT SOME STATES REFUSE TO LET THEIR RESIDENTS FEEL IT.”

Under President Biden, inflation averaged nearly 5 percent and peaked at 9.1 percent — the highest level in decades. Prices surged across every category of daily life: gas, groceries, travel, housing, and utilities.

President Trump made defeating inflation a central promise of his second term — and his administration says it is delivering.

Inflation has fallen to an average of roughly 2.7 percent. Core inflation is now lower than at any point during the final three years of the Biden administration. Americans have experienced the first overall price declines since 2020.

Food prices across dozens of everyday items — including eggs, butter, cereal, rice, pasta, seafood, and meat — have fallen. Even holiday staples like Thanksgiving turkeys dropped nearly one-third from their Biden-era highs.

“Prices are declining — and there’s much more to come.”

But in Illinois, families describe a very different reality.

Governor J.B. Pritzker — now seeking a third term while positioning himself nationally with eyes on 2028 — has become one of the most aggressive state-level opponents of President Trump’s economic agenda. Critics argue Illinois policies are deliberately counteracting federal affordability gains.

ENERGY: WHERE ILLINOIS PAYS MORE BY DESIGN

Nationally, households using propane or heating oil are paying less this winter than last. Prices for propane, kerosene, firewood, and fuel oil have all declined since President Trump took office.

In Illinois, residents face some of the highest utility costs in the Midwest.

State-mandated green energy initiatives — championed by Governor Pritzker and passed by Democrat supermajorities — have dramatically altered Illinois’ power generation mix. While promoted as cost-saving and reliable, recent state agency findings suggest otherwise.

A 2025 Resource Adequacy Study by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Power Agency, and Illinois Commerce Commission warns of a “credible risk” of electricity shortages across Illinois within the next five years.

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, Republican spokesperson on the House Public Utilities Committee, has repeatedly warned these policies would lead to shortages and skyrocketing bills.

“They promised reliability and lower costs. Instead, we’re staring at shortages and soaring electric bills,” Davidsmeyer said.
“These green energy fantasies have crippled our power generation capacity.”

Despite thousands of windmills and solar panels dotting the state, critics argue Illinois has shut down reliable coal, natural gas, and nuclear generation without viable replacements — all while shifting the cost burden onto taxpayers and ratepayers.

WAGES RISING — EXCEPT IN ILLINOIS

Nationally, Americans are finally seeing real wage growth again.

Under President Biden, real wages fell by nearly $3,000. Under President Trump’s second term, wages are now rising faster than inflation, with real gains projected to exceed $1,000 after his first full year in office.

Illinois workers, however, may not share in those gains.

State leaders have signaled they will not fully honor President Trump’s tax relief initiatives, including proposals for No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security. Businesses continue to flee Illinois, citing high taxes, regulatory pressure, and an unstable economic climate.

The result is fewer job opportunities and unemployment levels that remain higher than the national average.

“When businesses leave, workers lose — and Illinois keeps losing.”

GAS PRICES: AMERICA DRIVES CHEAPER — ILLINOIS PAYS MORE

Across the nation, gas prices have dropped to levels not seen in years. Americans are spending the lowest share of disposable income on fuel in two decades. In dozens of states, prices hover near — or below — $2 per gallon.

Illinois drivers remain stuck closer to $3 per gallon.

While national energy prices have fallen, Illinois’ repeated gas tax hikes continue to keep prices elevated. The state’s motor fuel tax automatically increases annually, regardless of market conditions.

For working families and commuters, that difference adds up fast.

HOUSING & AFFORDABILITY: NATIONAL RELIEF, LOCAL STRAIN

National housing affordability is finally improving. Mortgage rates have dropped, shelter inflation has hit a four-year low, and rents have declined for four consecutive months.

But Illinois residents face mounting pressure as state funds are diverted toward housing, healthcare, and education programs for illegal aliens — costs critics say are shouldered by taxpayers already struggling to keep up.

“Illinois families are paying more — while watching their tax dollars redirected elsewhere.”

A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS

President Trump’s administration points to sweeping progress:

• Trillions of dollars invested back into U.S. operations

• Millions more American-born workers employed

• Record-setting stock market gains

• Major deregulation savings for families

• Narrowing trade and budget deficits

• Historic tax relief proposals boosting take-home pay

Yet Illinois remains an outlier — governed by leaders who openly oppose the president’s agenda and, critics argue, cannot allow those policies to succeed locally.

Because success would undermine the narrative.

Keeping people dependent on government, critics say, keeps them voting for the same failed policies that put them there.

THE QUESTION ILLINOIS MUST ANSWER

As affordability returns across much of the country, Illinois voters face a growing divide between national progress and state-level resistance.

The question is no longer whether lower prices are possible.

The question is:

Why does Illinois continue choosing failure — when success is already being delivered elsewhere?

Sources & References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (inflation, wage, CPI data)

• U.S. Energy Information Administration (fuel and heating costs)

• Illinois EPA, Illinois Power Agency, Illinois Commerce Commission — 2025 Resource Adequacy Study

• Public statements from the Office of the President of the United States

• Illinois General Assembly legislation:

  • Future Energy Jobs Act

  • Climate and Equitable Jobs Act

  • Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act