When asked about his political goals, Chris Miller, who is running in the Republican primary in the 110th House District, mentioned three things taking on establishment politicians, reforming workers' compensation to make it more friendly to small business and working toward some kind of real estate tax reform.
"People are being taxed out of their homes," Miller, Oakland farmer, said.
However, when asked about what he's hearing most from constituents, Miller said the top thing people tell him is that they want House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) out of office.
"That's universal," Miller said, suggesting that Madigan has many critics in his part of Illinois. "As I've traveled up and down the district, that's what I've heard."
Regarding workers' compensation, Miller said the workers' compensation insurance costs small Illinois businesses too much, saying that it makes it easier for businesses to go across the nearby state line to Indiana.
Miller cited a discussion he had with a constituent who runs a trucking company and feels that the state doesn't really even want him in business, and said it was an example of the distrust people feel for an unresponsive state government.
Miller said his campaign is committed to working for these people to try to help them obtain a more business-friendly environment in Illinois so that fewer businesses decide to fly the coop.
On real estate taxes, Miller said the remedy is to move toward pension reform.
One concern, he said, is the idea of double-dipping and triple-dipping in pension systems which, if it occurs, creates a breakdown of the financial system. Miller referenced reports from local media outlets showing cases where individuals seem to receive outsized pension amounts based on their salaries and employment history.
After he filed to seek office, Miller said he is still doing a lot of canvassing, and that while talking to voters, he will continue to listen to them and keep their views in mind.
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