SE Illinois News

Veteran state Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is hoping the launch of the new Illinois Taxpayer Freedom Caucus will mean a return to true Republican values.

“For quite some time, people have run under the Republican brand, but I think they’ve forgotten that one of the core values of our platform is that we don’t raise taxes,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “We believe in lowering taxes; we haven’t seen that in the last couple years and that’s why I and a few other lawmakers are here in Springfield.”

Bailey said the Freedom Caucus – which includes the likes of Reps. Blaine Wilhour, Brad Halbrook, Chris Miller, Allen Skillicorn, Darren Bailey, David McSweeney and Amy Grant – is about accountability and keeping GOP lawmakers honest about the promises they make as candidates. While the group of 20 GOP lawmakers will continue to operate inside the Republican Party, Bailey said it’s clear the time has come for the party to take a new direction.

“We’ve got to get away from just sitting around and complaining about what Democrats do,” he said. “It’s time we take charge and give the voters of Illinois hope that someone’s willing to do something that’s truly on their behalf. Springfield has turned into a complete cesspool of liberalism and it’s time Republicans got serious about offering true reforms and changing things.”

Bailey said he’s hoping to see the day when every Republican lawmaker in Springfield is part of the Freedom Caucus.

“We pride ourselves on representing true, conservative values,” he said. “We talk to our constituents and they tell us every chance they get that’s what they want to see us do.”

Bailey said the group is hoping to have an immediate impact when it comes to pushing the policies they stand behind.

“We’re hoping to be able to have an impact and make a difference as early as the election in November,” he said.