SE Illinois News

On Thursday, Republican legislators from Southern Illinois participated in the annual Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit held in Marion. The event brought together State Senator Terri Bryant and State Representatives Dave Severin, Patrick Windhorst, and Paul Jacobs to discuss current issues facing Illinois government.

Senator Terri Bryant addressed concerns about rising energy costs and the presence of drugs within the Illinois Department of Corrections. “First, I want folks to know that there is a direct line that can be drawn from the lack of electricity being generated in southern Illinois to the cost they are paying for their electricity bills. We must increase our capacity, repeal harmful policies that have caused our coal-fired power plants to close, and make Illinois an importer of energy again,” Bryant said. “I am also keenly aware of the major crisis the infiltration of drugs and contraband into our correctional facilities is having. The dangerous policies of the Pritzker administration have led to the death and injury of both correctional employees and inmates. We have to stop this.”

Representative Dave Severin spoke about challenges facing local businesses and families due to higher utility bills. He highlighted his efforts to address these problems through legislation aimed at repealing certain energy policies. “I have called for hearings into the very real problem we have with high prices in this state. My calls for hearings were ignored by the Democrats, but I’m not stopping there,” Rep. Severin said. “I have introduced legislation that would study how electricity generation could be back online quickly to ease the supply and demand crisis, and I have introduced legislation to fully repeal the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. If we do nothing, we will see higher and more unaffordable rates in the future.”

Representative Patrick Windhorst congratulated local organizations on recent economic developments while noting ongoing concerns such as high taxes and population decline in Illinois. “We have serious problems with high taxes and with outmigration in our state, there is no doubt,” Windhorst said. “However, places like SIH have recently broken ground on an expansion of the Mulberry Center in Harrisburg, and John A. Logan College and Southeastern Illinois College continue to expand their career and technical education services and infrastructure. Organizations such as SI Now are doing great things to promote economic development in the entire region.” Windhorst was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 117th House District in 2023 after succeeding Natalie Phelps Finnie.

Representative Paul Jacobs discussed tax increases enacted or proposed by state lawmakers under Democratic leadership since Governor Pritzker took office: “What we have seen are increased taxes that continue to put pressure on families that are already cash-strapped in order to pay for the Democrats’ record-spending budgets. This has happened year after year since Governor Pritzker took office,” Jacobs said. “One tax to keep your eye on in the coming October Veto Session is the $1.50 delivery tax. It stalled this spring, but in Springfield, no tax increase is ever off limits with the current administration and the politicians running state government.”

The summit serves as an opportunity each year for local legislators and Chambers of Commerce across Southern Illinois to exchange information about regional priorities.