Carbondale Reporter

Republican lawmakers from Southern Illinois met with local Chambers of Commerce on Thursday for the annual Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit in Marion. The event featured presentations from State Senator Terri Bryant, State Representative Dave Severin, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, and State Representative Paul Jacobs, each addressing current issues affecting the region.

Senator Bryant discussed the impact of reduced electricity generation in southern Illinois on rising energy costs and highlighted concerns about drug infiltration 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 Severin addressed high electricity prices affecting families and businesses in southern Illinois and spoke about his legislative efforts aimed at reversing these trends. "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." Severin has represented Illinois' 116th House District since 2023 after succeeding David Friess.

Representative Windhorst recognized local economic progress despite ongoing challenges such as high taxes and population decline. "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."

Representative Jacobs focused on recent tax increases enacted or proposed by Democratic lawmakers as attempts to address growing state budgets. "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 provides an opportunity for legislators and regional business leaders to discuss policy issues affecting southern Illinois communities.