Macon Reporter

Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) recently expressed his disappointed with the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) for allowing private companies to use eminent domain to run electric lines across Illinois farmlands.

In an Aug. 16 Facebook video, Caulkins outlined what he saw as the "lowlights' of the legislation.

“CEJA is the first bill that's given the right of eminent domain to a private company to run electric lines across our farmland here in central Illinois. That never happened before, should never have happened. This is a travesty," Caulkins said.

He also hit on tax-funded electric vehicles in the bill.

"It's us, the taxpayers, on the hook to help people buy a Tesla over in Chicago," Caulkins said. "There's no accountability for jobs created; there's billions of dollars in CEJA to create these new green jobs. There's no accountability - this is strictly some kind of a handout welfare program."

Caulkins isn't the only one concerned about the "green new deal," in Illinois. Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) has called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reverse policies that endanger traditional electricity supplies in the state. 

“Last year my colleagues and I warned you that politicians in Illinois were planning for a New Green Deal that would hurt families and businesses. Just months after the Clean Energy Jobs Act passed, our comments have unfortunately been proven true," Halbrook said. "Central and Southern Illinoisans are facing hundreds of dollars in higher energy costs and potential power outages because of terrible policy decisions by Illinois Democrats who chose wind and solar power over reliable coal and natural gas plants. It is nonsensical and shameful considering we receive three-fourths of our energy from coal and natural gas in our region. And at a time when the world is facing grain shortages, it makes even less sense to cover productive Illinois farmland with solar panels from China. These Democrats prove they are an enemy to Illinois farmers and businesses."

In May, Caulkins also spoke about the need for ethics reform. "Here we are, it's Groundhog Day for me, four years, four end-of-sessions and still no ethics reform. Year after year, none," Caulkins said April 9 from the House floor. "We did pass some bill that was termed ethics reform … We now have another member of this body under investigation and we still have not addressed ethics reform. The people of this state look at this body and they lump us all together and it's beyond the pale. We have to make a commitment that we must address ethics reform if we're going to restore the confidence and the trust of the people of this state. Another year has gone by without it and it's a tragedy."

Caulkins was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the Public Utilities and Prescription Drug Affordability committees. Caulkins resides in Decatur.

Caulkins will face no challenger in the upcoming general election.