Chambana Sun

Veteran state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) envisions a new Illinois emerging from the Illinois Taxpayer Freedom Caucus he and a group of 20 other GOP lawmakers recently launched in Springfield.

“Our group over the summer will focus on issues and hopefully come up with recommendations and policies that work to the good of the people of the state,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “Much of our work will revolve around taxes, how we tax, what we tax, and whom we tax. It’s been demonstrated that Illinois is one of the highest taxing states in the country and it hurts our ability to recruit and retain businesses, which impacts our ability to attract residents.”

Caulkins said the group – that also includes state Reps. Blaine Wilhour, Brad Halbrook, Chris Miller, Allen Skillicorn, Darren Bailey, David McSweeney and Amy Grant – plans to come up with practical, nonpartisan proposals to benefit the entire state.

In the end, Caulkins said the focus of the group, which will continue to operate inside the Republican Party, will be to make Illinois more competitive with its neighboring states.

“The idea for this caucus stems from all the frustration felt among members who feel that the House is not focused on taxing or spending reforms, and actually spends too much of its time trying to figure out more ways to tax and spend,” he said. 

Caulkins said he thinks the group has just the right mix of energy and experience to navigate all the hurdles sure to spring up.

“You look at the initial founders of this caucus and you see thoughtful, experienced lawmakers, side-by side, with a new group of members who came to Springfield with a mandate to change things,” he said. “We’re committed to making a change and doing things that are in the best interest of everyone in this state.”