SE Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is imploring constituents to turn to their higher power in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Calling out to God for help is simply accessing a divine resource that is ours for the asking,” Bailey, now in the midst of organizing a statewide Day of Prayer, told the SE Illinois News. “We’re kind of in this area that is home to many strong believers and we’re thinking something like this is truly the kind of restart we all really need.”

Even in the face of the coronavirus crisis that has claimed many lives across the state, Bailey says that people can’t lose focus about what’s most important.

“I understand addressing the immediate health consequences of the virus is a priority, but we must not lose focus on what we need to do to restore Illinois to prosperity and inspire recovery,” Bailey said. “If we line ourselves up and get our priorities straight, we can turn things around. I know people are scared, and this is an awareness prayer to remind people about trusting in someone other than themselves for wisdom and vision.”

Leading up to tomorrow's day of prayer, Bailey has been posting videos to Facebook of believers singing and praying.

“Prayer combined with common sense can get us through all of this,” he said.

Bailey says that first and foremost among the common-sense changes he would like to see implemented is for Pritzker to abandon his progressive tax idea. 

“Our economic revival should begin with removing the state income tax ballot question scheduled for November,” said Bailey. “The state’s entrepreneurs and employers need to be assured of a consistent business climate. There are too many unknown impacts with a brand new income tax structure, which is surely going to hit small businesses hard at a time when they will still be recovering from a months-long shutdown of the state and national economy.”