Dan Caulkins says Illinois lawmakers long ago passed the point of just making things hard on small business owners or those thinking of going into business for themselves.
“The process of starting a business is so expensive it inhibits people from taking the plunge and almost encourages them to go underground to start things off because all the taxes and bureaucracy discourage them from doing it,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “My wife and I are the owners of two small businesses, and the things we had to do to get started were almost like needing to hire an attorney to go through everything.”
With the first week of May marking National Small Business Appreciation Week, Caulkins felt compelled to share his story in hopes that others across the state won’t have to suffer through a similar ordeal.
dan caulkins
“The process ... is something I plan to look into as soon as I arrive in Springfield,” Caulkins, a Geneva Republican who is running against Democrat Jennifer McMillin for the seat being vacated by Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) in the 101st District, said. “Right now, it’s just too expensive and the first thing you have to do after you have an idea is to hire a lawyer.”
In Illinois, Caulkins said there is a clear and apparent need for change in the way state government operates, and one of the things that makes this election cycle so critical, particularly the race between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker.
“Rauner is the only person left to stand up to (House Speaker Mike) Madigan (D-Chicago),” Caulkins previously told the Chambana Sun. “Pritzker is totally aligned with (Madigan) and gives him even more of a license to do more of what he’s doing.”
In the end, Caulkins said there is no way the state can afford a Pritzker/Madigan alliance at the top of government at such a critical time.
“The progressive tax idea they’ve both been pushing is an example of that,” he said. “It will send more people out of the state and cost us even more jobs. If you send Democrats back to Springfield, you are voting for higher taxes, more infringement and less good government.”
The 101st House District includes parts of Champaign, McLean, Dewitt, Macon and Piatt counties.
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