East Central Reporter

Chris Miller frets that longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) has turned Illinois into his personal play-land.

“Mike Madigan has created a pay-to-play state out of Illinois,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “It is completely obvious that the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is in control of this state and has been (for) quite some time. State government has left small business and the taxpayers on the hook for footing the bill for constant mistakes made by Madigan and his cronies who only serve to benefit themselves.”

The first week of May marked National Small Business Appreciation Week and Miller, running as a Republican in the 110th House District, was moved to speak out about all the ills he now sees poisoning the system for what should be one of the state's most valued vessels.

House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago)

Organizers of Small Business Week state one of the primary aims of the program is to have legislators and politicians highlight and help with the needs of small businesses as opposed to making it more difficult for them to survive.

Miller argues Illinois lawmakers are falling far short of that goal.

“Look at the rules that Mike Madigan runs Springfield on and you will quickly see that small businesses/taxpayers are neglected and/or punished in Illinois,” he added. “Policies like high taxes and high workers' compensation costs drive up the costs for small businesses.”

Miller said once he gets to Springfield, he plans to promote legislation that helps free small business owners from all the shackles that now go a long way toward keeping them grounded.

“I will eliminate burdensome state regulations and be competitive with our neighboring states on attracting new and keeping old businesses in Illinois,” he said.

Miller added he plans to particularly fight to make things better for “all of the hard-working, all-American agricultural producers within the 110th District and the thriving industries who continue to employ the great folks of my district despite Mike Madigan’s desire to ruin the environment for owning a business in downstate Illinois.”

The 110th House District includes Coles County, Clark County, Cumberland County, Crawford County and part of Lawrence County.