SE Illinois News

Freshman lawmaker Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) recently announced that after nine months in office he is ready to take on another two years and will seek re-election in the 2018 race, according to a press release.

“Last year the voters decided they wanted to chart a new course for our region,” Severin said in a statement. “With that in mind I’ve worked hard to keep the promises I made during that campaign, … I’ll keep taking our voice and southern Illinois values to Springfield every day.”

Severin pointed to several key votes he has entered since taking office in January, including voting against the budget package that raised taxes, state funding going toward abortion coverage and special treatment of Chicago public schools in education reform legislation. Severin also noted that he voted against House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) remaining in his position.

“I am proud of the things we accomplished this year. I pushed substantive legislation which became law, including those that aided veterans suffering from PTSD and improved correctional facility security," Severin said in the release. "My office fought hard week after week to get funding restored to the Williamson County Early Childhood Cooperative, and every day our staff works with constituents to help solve their issues regarding state government.”