Chambana Sun

In announcing his plans to seek reelection as state representative in the 101st District, veteran lawmaker Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) proclaimed there is still much work to be done.

“My reelection campaign and second term will be focused on making the much-needed changes in Springfield to help all of the people of Illinois,” Caulkins said in a press release. “I have put term limits on myself – so there is a lot of work to do in a short period of time.”

Caulkins cited numerous examples of how the far-left is pushing forward with its agenda in Springfield.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Courtesy of Linkedin

“The just-passed capital bill included doubling the gas tax in addition to 21 other taxes and fee hikes totaling almost $45 billion,” Caulkins said in the release. “All of this was passed after we showed the Democrats that we could balance our budget without raising taxes. In spite of that, they continue to insist on more frivolous spending rather than pension and spending reforms and have proposed a Constitutional Amendment that will raise taxes even further, causing more and more people to leave our state.”

Now, more than ever, Caulkins said, Springfield needs conservative thinkers such as himself.

“We need common-sense, conservative leaders who are willing to fight this radical agenda,” he said, pointing to how he has opposed such recent legislation as doubling the state’s gas tax, increased license plate renewal fees, increased real estate transfer fees, increased taxes on cigarettes and the expansion of gambling.  

Caulkins also stood in opposition of the abortion bill that allows late-term abortions and the Constitutional Amendment needed to enact progressive tax legislation being pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

On the flip side, he has co-sponsored proposals that extend insurance benefits to Lyme disease patients and helped pass a bill to lower prescription drug costs.

The 101 District includes all or parts of Champaign, DeWitt, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties.