Chambana Sun

Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) said that actions speak louder than words regarding how Illinois residents express their frustrations with the state government.

“People are voting with their feet,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “I always say this is what you get when you have one-party rule and a governor that’s ruled by executive order. People are leaving in droves, and it’s not going to get any better as long as this is what our government represents.”

Illinois is one of the leading states when it comes to outmigration rates in the country. Studies from two moving companies found that upward of 60% of interstate moves serviced by them on behalf of Illinois residents were to leave the state.

Job-related reasons ranked as one of the biggest factors many decided to put the state in their rear-view mirrors.

Researchers concluded 2020’s outmigration numbers represent the most significant flight from the state since World War II.

“I think more people are coming to realize the situation we’re in with pension debt and the overspending habits of democrats, and it makes for a feeling of helplessness,” Caulkins said. “People feel like they’re doing what’s best for their families by going someplace other than Illinois. If you look at the census data, every state around us has gained population. It’s not because of the weather that people are leaving; it’s because of government, high taxes and our governor.”

With so many people now struggling across the state, Caulkins said he’s hoping it will motivate more state lawmakers to do their jobs.

“The first thing we have to do is reign in Gov. J.B. Pritzker,” he said. “Our General Assembly needs to exercise its authority to serve as checks and balances. From there, we’ve got to make Illinois more business-friendly and get our taxes and spending habits back under control.”