East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) fumes at how dysfunctional he feels things have become in Springfield.

“Right now, the only way we don’t do more harm to the people we’re supposed to be representing is by staying out of the way,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “The bad ideas coming from state government are limitless. The leaders refuse to address the real issues that are plaguing our people and businesses and I believe that’s because they know many of them are their fault.”

Miller’s outburst comes in the face of news Illinois legislative leaders have canceled this month’s fall veto session out of concern for rising COVID-19 infection rates. In an email from the office of House Speaker Mike Madigan, associates stressed the move has the backing of a “strong majority” of House Democrats who support the move in light of the circumstances.

Miller argues what he sees as a coordinated effort should be expected.

“Everywhere you look, they’ve created landmines for the people of this state that they don’t know how to deal with,” he said. “It’s why people are leaving this state in droves.”

Miller argues all the trouble in Springfield starts at the top with much of it revolving around Madigan. The state’s longest-tenured lawmaker finds himself at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme where all the perks were allegedly steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation.

Miller deduces that could also be a factor in Madigan now being so apprehensive about wanting to return to session.

“I think it's human nature to try to protect yourself when backed into a corner and he’s certainly backed himself into a corner,” he said. “I think he’s having a difficult time trying to sweep all this under the rug. People aren’t being fooled by all his distractions.”