Chambana Sun

Government overreach and power abuse come to light over coronavirus executive orders

By Glenn Minnis | Apr 1, 2020

The reverberations from Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen recently being granted the power to do everything from ration food to seize private property and limit gun sales continues to echo in the face of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Champaign City Council gives mayor power to impose curfew, seize private property

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 30, 2020

The Champaign City Council is on the defensive after passing an ordinance that grants the mayor the power to do everything from ration utilities, seize private property and restrict gun sales in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

From Macon Reporter

Halbrook says movement to separate Chicago from the state is gaining momentum, attention

By Glenn Minnis | 9 days ago

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) thinks three counties overwhelmingly voting to separate from Chicago during primary voting earlier this month is just a sign of things to come.

In wake of coronavirus protections, Caulkins says he's concerned about civil liberties

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 23, 2020

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) wonders if things can ever be the same in Illinois in the wake of coronavirus crisis.

From Macon Reporter

Halbrook sees red-light camera scandal as just another reason to break from Chicago

By Glenn Minnis | 12 days ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) views the growing red-light camera scandal as just one more reason why so many downstate residents are looking to put greater distance between themselves and the world of Chicago politics.

State's inability to budget properly hurting local taxpayers, Caulkins claims

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 21, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (D-Decatur) warns these are precarious times for a state already mired in deep debt and a population swoon that shows no signs of slowing.

Illinois establishments shut down under COVID-19 threat

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 21, 2020

Champaign activist Scott Tapley argues a new city ordinance that allows city council the power to do everything from limit gun sales to ration utilities and seize private property in the wake of the COVID 19 crisis is grossly illegal.

Caulkins says poll results in favor of benefit amendment means 'our message is starting to resonate'

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 17, 2020

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) finds solace in a new Southern Illinois University poll that finds more than half of all state residents indicate they would be in favor of a constitutional amendment mandating a reduction in benefits for public employees going forward.

Halbrook doubts Dems are really interested in reform of any kind in Illinois

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 13, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) doesn’t see how the state can change its growing pattern of being on the wrong side of history without lawmakers in Springfield getting real about what he sees as driving all its potholes.

Caulkins believes the only way to fix Springfield is to elect a new majority

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 4, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) sees the same answer to all the state’s countless problems.

Halbrook calls Pritzker's budget plan just another 'tax-and-spend' policy

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 4, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) walked away from hearing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address thoroughly convinced that Springfield has become its own worst enemy.

Caulkins likens Pritzker's progressive tax to 'legalized class warfare'

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 2, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) walked away from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent state budget address more convinced than ever about what he thinks his proposed progressive tax would add up to.

From Macon Reporter

Rep. Halbrook determined to rid Illinois of red-light cameras

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) leaves no doubt about his position on the red-light cameras installed across much of the state, arguing that the use of the devices may even be a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Rep. Caulkins encouraged by 'groundswell of support' from voters committed to fight against corruption

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 17, 2020

Illinois House Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) believes the state's Republican lawmakers should feel some degree of validation by the results of a new poll that finds voters now value “cleaning up corruption in state government” as a top priority.

From Macon Reporter

One year later, Rep. Halbrook continues to build the Chicago separation movement

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

A year after formally refiling legislation aimed at convincing Congress to declare Chicago a separate state, Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) continues his work to put more distance between the city and his Downstate home.

Rep. Caulkins challenges Dems to face corruption: 'Republicans stand ready to end this climate'

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 10, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) was not surprised to hear former Legislative Inspector General (LIG) Julie Porter claim that her efforts at ethics reform were for the most part muzzled by powerful Springfield Democrats.

Rep. Caulkins introduces bill to help teachers come back to the classroom

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 4, 2020

A downstate Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation he hopes will go a long way toward alleviating the state’s crippling teacher shortage.

From Macon Reporter

Pritzker failed to adequately address top three issues in State of the State, Rep. Halbrook says

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) marvels at the way Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s alternate universe was on full display during his recent State of the State address.

Rep. Caulkins suggests Secretary of State do the 'honorable thing' and step down in wake of AVR glitch

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 27, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has a theory about why programs like the Secretary of State’s Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system often seem to lead to chaos.

From Prairie State Wire

ILGOP Chairman Schneider demands action as non-citizens were registered to vote in 2018

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is demanding that a state-run program that automatically registers voters be immediately suspended amid reports that non-citizens were certified and cast votes in 2018.