East Central Reporter

Chris Miller says rising speculation about House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) working closely with Democrats as he wages his 2018 re-election campaign makes him sure of just one thing – it's time for a change.

“I don’t know how true any of that is, but if I were receiving support from liberals in a situation like that, I would have to think it’s time to re-evaluate things, be more concerned about what my message might be,” Miller, an Oakland Republican who is running for the seat held by retiring Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) in the 110th District, told the East Central Reporter. “I think the voters need to be the ones to sort these things out.”

Several media outlets have reported Durkin is rumored to be working hand and hand with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) on his re-election effort after the majority of Durkin's leadership team aligned themselves with Democrats in passing the record-setting 32 percent tax hike that was enacted as part of the new state budget.

And then, there is the financial support Durkin is reported to have recently received from powerful Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. In recent times, Burke’s Burnham Committee has been known to also make contributions to such powerful Democratic leaders as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Democrat Cook County Board of Review Member Michael Cabonargi, Democrat Cook County Commissioner and top Madigan aide, Ed Moody and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Miller said all the unnerving machinations in Springfield just make him more certain than ever that it is time for major change.

“We're No. I in just about every category you don’t want to be No. 1. in,” he said. “I think term limits should be one of the first things we put in place because that’s just sort of a common-sense kind of thing.”

In his mind, Miller said everything that’s logical also screams for Madigan to be finally shown the door. 

“I’ve been a farmer now for more than 40 years, and if everything I had done with my farm over that time was considered a disaster, it would fall at my feet,” he said. “It’s the same thing with Springfield, and Madigan’s been there the whole time.”

The 110th District includes Cole County and all or parts of Edgar, Cumberland, Clark, Crawford and Lawrence counties.