East Central Reporter

State Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-District 110) is standing by his pledge not to accept a legislative salary from Illinois taxpayers until the state’s budget is passed, as he focuses on getting his re-election campaign in full swing, promising to end the gridlock in Springfield., 

“I took a pledge not to take my legislative salary until an Illinois budget is passed, and I am keeping my word,” Phillips recently told the East Central Reporter.

Phillips continues to strongly criticize House Speaker Mike Madigan’s cancellation of the last three scheduled meetings of the House to work on resolving the budget impasse, saying his antics are hurting Illinois families. 

“We have to put families first, and the current stalemate by Speaker Madigan is putting families last,” Phillips said. “Families deserve a budget on time, funded education for future generations, property taxes that are affordable and a strong Illinois economy with job growth.”

Phillips has been a strong proponent throughout his term as state representative of funding education. He believes his recently proposed legislation -- designed to help the state’s universities receive emergency funding while the state’s budget issue is resolved -- was railroaded.

“I was able to work with Gov. Rauner to ensure Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has adequate funding in the governor’s proposal and worked with my Democrat colleagues in the House to get funding for EIU,” Phillips said. “When the bill moved to the Senate, Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) gutted EIU’s funds for another school. This is unacceptable, and I will continue to fight for EIU funding."

Phillips vows to continue his battle over the current operation of the state’s government, especially the fight to fund education.

“We must fund our education system for our children’s future and stop the political games that have been played for over 30 years with complete disregard for taxpayers," he said. "Career politicians have been running the state into out-of-control debt, and it’s time we wake up and stop the excessive spending. We have a moral and fiscal obligation to current and future Illinois residents to provide a safe, efficient and effective educational system.”

Phillips, who beat his Republican competitor in the March primary by sweeping all six counties, will spend the next several months leading up to the election highlighting his stance on the state’s budget. He also plans to focus his campaign on other vital issues facing families in Illinois.

“Over the next few months, I will continue to do my job as the state representative of the 110th District," Phillips said. "It is vital the taxpayers of Illinois understand the fight for a better Illinois is today. Whether we are discussing education funding, budget, the economy or any other issue, I will fight to put Illinois families first. For far too long, taxpayers have been paying into a government that has not done an effective job at caring for our residents. This has to stop.”