Reagan’s home state could learn from his policies

One year ago on Feb. 6, our state celebrated the 100th birthday of President Ronald Reagan, a true Illinoisan, to recognize his accomplishments and celebrate the prosperity he brought to America.

As we now reflect on what would have been Reagan’s 101st birthday, it’s an ideal time to highlight his signature economic philosophies that our state could emulate as we attempt to navigate our way out of financial calamity.

I first met candidate Reagan soon out of college when he asked me to lead his Illinois campaign. My passion for politics and my understanding of his message of lower taxes and less government spending made my answer an easy “yes.”

As the Illinois state director for Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980, I traveled on campaign trips to many parts of Illinois in a station wagon with his wife, Nancy, and a California state trooper.

America’s financial turnaround overseen by Reagan, after some very dismal years in the 1970s, can help illuminate a way forward for our state leaders to avoid further financial problems.

Reagan governed from the perspective that economies flourish and jobs are created when taxes are lowered, regulations on job creators are lessened, and government spending is reduced. He often left room for compromise to avoid gridlock, but he always stayed true to his fiscal beliefs. For the state to recover from its financial situation, leaders in Illinois should follow Reagan’s lead and adopt those same principles.

Reagan was the only U.S. president born and raised in Illinois. He was born in Tampico, spent his formative years in Dixon, and attended college in Eureka. The character he developed in Illinois would eventually position him as the most influential leader of the free world.

Happy birthday, Mr. President. Thank you for the life lessons. We in Illinois can learn from you.

Note to readers – Dan Rutherford was sworn in as Illinois state treasurer 13 months ago. He was first elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1993. He served 25 years as a vice president of America’s largest service company.