Chambana Sun

Dan Caulkins argues Illinois needs to be the antithesis of what it’s long been if it is going to save itself.

“For this state to survive, we need to elect conservative, Republican lawmakers who aren’t career politicians and are willing to make the kind of hard choices required to restore fiscal responsibility,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “It’s really the only way forward and of getting away from the status quo.”

A new Realtor.com survey recently found that Illinois now has the second highest property taxes in the country and that rates have become so staggering they now exceed the cost of what some pay in regular mortgage payments.

Jen McMillin

“Taxes, be they property, income, sales or whatever, is all anyone wants to talk about down here,” said Caulkins, running against Democrat Jennifer McMillin in the 101st House District. “People are educated on this issue; they know these outrageous rates are putting a damper on the entire economy.”

Since 2011, Illinois has lost 643,000 residents to outmigration with the exodus showing few signs of slowing. Over a yearlong period ending July 2017, residents were fleeing the state at a rate of one every 4.6 minutes, dropping Illinois behind Pennsylvania in overall population and off the list of top five states with the largest population in the country, the Illinois Policy Institute reported.

“People fear that if we can’t get our hands around this problem it will become even harder to build a life here in Illinois and they’re voting with their feet,” Caulkins said. “The people that are still here seem willing to fight; but if we don’t get these taxes under control, this mutiny won’t be slowing down anytime soon.”

Caulkins said his motivation for going to Springfield lies in being a part of the movement that comes up with a solution to save Illinois for future generations.

“People want to make sure we quit spending money we don’t have,” he said. “People want fiscal responsibility for sake of their kids and grandkids, and I want to be part of the movement that makes that happen.”

The 101st House District spans parts of Champaign, DeWitt, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties.