Macon Reporter

Halbrook says movement to separate Chicago from the state is gaining momentum, attention

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 26, 2020

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) thinks three counties overwhelmingly voting to separate from Chicago during primary voting earlier this month is just a sign of things to come.

From Chambana Sun

In wake of coronavirus protections, Caulkins says he's concerned about civil liberties

By Glenn Minnis | 15 days ago

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) wonders if things can ever be the same in Illinois in the wake of coronavirus crisis.

Halbrook sees red-light camera scandal as just another reason to break from Chicago

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 23, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) views the growing red-light camera scandal as just one more reason why so many downstate residents are looking to put greater distance between themselves and the world of Chicago politics.

From Chambana Sun

Caulkins says poll results in favor of benefit amendment means 'our message is starting to resonate'

By Glenn Minnis | 21 days ago

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) finds solace in a new Southern Illinois University poll that finds more than half of all state residents indicate they would be in favor of a constitutional amendment mandating a reduction in benefits for public employees going forward.

Halbrook intent on spreading the word about the dangers of Pritzker's proposed progressive tax

By Glenn Minnis | Mar 2, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) wonders how much longer the state can last without a complete overhaul of Springfield.

Rep. Halbrook determined to rid Illinois of red-light cameras

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 18, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) leaves no doubt about his position on the red-light cameras installed across much of the state, arguing that the use of the devices may even be a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Caulkins encouraged by 'groundswell of support' from voters committed to fight against corruption

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois House Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) believes the state's Republican lawmakers should feel some degree of validation by the results of a new poll that finds voters now value “cleaning up corruption in state government” as a top priority.

One year later, Rep. Halbrook continues to build the Chicago separation movement

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 10, 2020

A year after formally refiling legislation aimed at convincing Congress to declare Chicago a separate state, Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) continues his work to put more distance between the city and his Downstate home.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Caulkins challenges Dems to face corruption: 'Republicans stand ready to end this climate'

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) was not surprised to hear former Legislative Inspector General (LIG) Julie Porter claim that her efforts at ethics reform were for the most part muzzled by powerful Springfield Democrats.

From McLean County Times

Local libraries could get 'their piece of that pie' with bill for a new tax on cannabis sales

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

A new bill that would see local libraries vying for tax proceeds deriving from recreational marijuana sales has convinced state House Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) that there are no limits to how far some will go to cash in on this year's legalization of cannabis in Illinois.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Caulkins introduces bill to help teachers come back to the classroom

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

A downstate Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation he hopes will go a long way toward alleviating the state’s crippling teacher shortage.

Pritzker failed to adequately address top three issues in State of the State, Rep. Halbrook says

By Glenn Minnis | Feb 4, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) marvels at the way Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s alternate universe was on full display during his recent State of the State address.

From Chambana Sun

Rep. Caulkins suggests Secretary of State do the 'honorable thing' and step down in wake of AVR glitch

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has a theory about why programs like the Secretary of State’s Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system often seem to lead to chaos.

From Prairie State Wire

ILGOP Chairman Schneider demands action as non-citizens were registered to vote in 2018

By Glenn Minnis | 2 months ago

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider is demanding that a state-run program that automatically registers voters be immediately suspended amid reports that non-citizens were certified and cast votes in 2018.

Rep. Caulkins backs bill to prohibit private citizens' funding of state employees

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 21, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) says he has yet to see much of a return on Gov. J.B. Pritzker's personal $3 million investment in what was supposed to be the best administration money could buy.

Elik's promise of being a 'fiscal watchdog' comes on heels of another failing grade for Illinois' economy

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 21, 2020

Illinois House candidate Amy Elik (R-Alton) is determined to be an agent of change in Springfield.

Census data, Rep. Halbrook agree – Taxes driving wealthiest Illinoisans away

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 14, 2020

A downstate Illinois lawmaker argues that nothing about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax plan adds up, unless you count all of the state's highest earners packing up and leaving.

From Chambana Sun

Whether felt immediately or years from now, 'No one will escape this progressive tax,' Rep. Caulkins warns

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) wants voters to take a long hard look in the mirror before casting their votes in the 2020 elections.

Rep. Halbrook, Wirepoints lament fact that none of state's new laws address the most critical issues

By Glenn Minnis | Jan 8, 2020

Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) complains that not a single one of the 250-plus new laws that went into effect on Jan. 1 will help the state correct any of its most troubling issues.

From Chambana Sun

As population plummets, Rep. Caulkins calls on voters to restore Illinois

By Glenn Minnis | 3 months ago

State House Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) thinks it is time for Illinois voters – at least the ones who remain in the state with the greatest population loss in the U.S. over the last decade – to start taking some accountability.