Chambana Sun

Republican candidate Dan Caulkins believes Illinois would not be in the situation it is in if lawmakers had kept their promises.

“We would already to be able to afford most of the annual road repairs we need done across the state if we would have just used the road fund tax money we collect for that problem like we told everyone we would,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “We wouldn’t have to be going back to taxpayers yet again with this ridiculous idea of a mileage tax.”

The miles tax has recently gained traction after Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker expressed an openness to the idea as a way to fund infrastructure repairs, which are estimated to cost approximately $21 billion annually, according to the Illinois News Network (INN).

Jen McMillin

The plan would require motorists to track their travels by placing a device on their vehicle, INN states. The car owner would then be charged based on miles traveled.

“It’s just a terrible idea that hasn’t been thought out well at all,” said Caulkins, who is running against Democrat Jen McMillin in the 101st District. “For example, are you going to put the tax on taxi and Uber drivers too? Also, I saw something that said some of the people that stand to be hurt most by this are the fuel-efficient drivers. It’s just another typical Democratic playbook, quick-fix-tax-people-more approach to dealing with everything.”

Residents shouldn’t expect any solutions or even suggestions from McMillin anytime soon, Caulkins said.

“She supports the graduated tax and (House Speaker Mike) Madigan,” he said. “She’s a nice enough person. She’s just not independent. I’m concerned and campaigning on the issues that will improve the 101st District.”

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