Macon Reporter

On Nov. 10,  Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins took a moment to recognize the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

"Happy birthday Marine Corps! Thank you for 246 years of defending democracy!" Caulkins wrote on Facebook.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) was established on Nov. 10, 1775 in Philadelphia as a service branch of infantry troops capable of fighting both at sea and on shore, according to the USMC's Wikipedia page.

Chambana Sun reported that Caulkins recently demanded that Gov. J.B. Pritzker do more than talk about the problem of gun violence and that he meet with the General Assembly to find solutions.

“So, Governor Pritzker, you really want to work on preventing violence? Let’s get together in the general assembly,” Caulkins said in a Facebook video. "Let’s do what the system is designed to do. I have (House Bills) 4190 and 4191 sitting on the books. Let’s call those bills. Let’s have that discussion.”

Caulkins filed HB 4190 which would establish the Firearm Crime Charging and Sentencing Accountability and Transparency Act. The new legislation would require explanations from the state’s attorney as to why certain charges would be reduced in plea agreements for criminal cases involving illegal use or possession of firearms.

In September, Caulkins spoke out on the importance of the Prairie State Energy Campus to the entire state as discussions continued about the closure of gas and oil-fired power plants around the state, according to Chambana Sun.

“Six-hundred fifty people work at Prairie State Energy Campus every day and they employ over a thousand union workers in that facility to maintain it,” Caulkins said at the time. “It’s a huge part of the economy – not just in that community, but in the whole state of Illinois. They run at maximum capacity almost all the time. The electricity generated in that plant is desperately needed throughout our region.”

In October, Caulkins pointed out issues with the Illinois Department of Economic Security - particularly that they were quick to process what he called fraudulent claims, but couldn't take the time to talk to Illinois residents who needed help, Chambana Sun reported.

“They were able to quickly process fraudulent claims worth of hundreds of millions, but couldn’t talk to those desperate for help,” Caulkins had posted on Twitter. "How did it happen? Let the sun shine in.”