Carbondale Reporter

CARBONDALE, IL – State Senators Dale Fowler and Terri Bryant, along with State Representatives Dave Severin, Patrick Windhorst, and Paul Jacobs, participated in the Southern Illinois Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit on Thursday. The legislators provided brief presentations on state legislative matters and local economic development activities before engaging in a question-and-answer session with attendees.

State Rep. Dave Severin addressed the ongoing efforts to redevelop Rend Lake Resort. He confirmed that funding has been approved and contracts for vending and hospitality services are being finalized with the aim of reopening the facility within the next 24 months.

“I’m working closely with the Department of Natural Resources and the administration to continue to work on Rend Lake Resort. There are trucks out there now working on the parking lots, the administration is working to secure contracts with vendors, and my goal is in two years to take my wife, son, and grandchildren for Mother’s Day brunch when the Resort and restaurant are fully back open,” Severin said. “I want to thank the members of the various chambers that are represented in this room today. You are the entrepreneurs, the business people that keep our economic engine running. Keep going, keep working, don’t let anyone discourage you from continuing your valued efforts to build and keep southern Illinois up and running.”

State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) discussed his role as House Republican Floor Leader and highlighted that all members of the Illinois Republican delegation in both legislative chambers representing areas south of I-64 were named “Champions of Free Enterprise” by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce.

“Legislators with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85% or better over the previous two General Assemblies have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit qualify for the Champion of Free Enterprise Award,” Windhorst said. “We have all received this recognition because we are in Springfield opposing legislation that is bad for employers and their employees. We have steadfastly supported legislation that is good for job growth and economic development.”

State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) used his presentation time to explain how Illinois has ranked poorly in terms of taxpayer-friendliness.

“In March 2024, Illinois was ranked worst overall – actually 51st in the country behind even New Jersey, New York, California, and Washington, D.C. – in Money Geek’s analysis of the most and least tax-friendly states,” Jacobs explained. “Also in March 2024, a WalletHub study found low-income Illinoisans pay 14% of their annual salary to sales, property, and income taxes…which may not surprise you to learn was the most in the nation. Unfortunately, the legislature made this situation even worse for taxpayers and employers by raising $1 billion in taxes to pay for increased government spending.”

Representatives from multiple Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce attended this event hosted by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce at the Carbondale Civic Center.