State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has a simple philosophy when it comes to deciding what bills and legislation he comes to support in Springfield.

“I’m typically for anything that stands to make the lives of the people of this state and my community a bit easier,” Caulkins told the Macon Reporter. “Anything that makes life run smoother.”

In being true to those, Caulkins has proven to be a key supporter of House Bill 3141, the measure sponsored by Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) and recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that establishes guidelines allowing a township board to appoint a temporary supervisor to safeguard against a key position being vacant in local government due to an unexpected departure.

That was recently the case when a township supervisor in District 102 unexpectedly tendered their resignation, leaving the day-to-day overseeing of key departments that impact the lives of many somewhat up to chance.  

“I think it’s a good bill,” Caulkins said. “It lets the board put in place a deputy to oversee things so that things continue to function and people’s lives aren’t disrupted so much.”

Other bills Halbrook has recently supported that Pritzker signed include HB 3143, which allows local voters by referendum to change the county property tax assessor or county supervisor of assessments from an appointed position to an elected position.

Like Caulkins, Halbrook said he has an ironclad checklist in determining what legislation he chooses to throw his weight behind.

“This is about giving local residents more control over the people and decisions that impact their wallets, and ultimately, their lives,” he said in a press release.

Halbrook’s 102 District includes all or parts of Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Macon, Champaign, Vermillion and Edgar counties.