East Central Reporter

Rep. Chris Miller, who represents Illinois' 101st House District, recently attended the grand opening of the Lake Land College Effingham Technology Center. The facility will serve as the first permanent home for Creating Opportunities for Regional Employment (CORE), a program offering local high school students classes to help them build skills and explore future careers. The new building consolidates all Lake Land operations previously held at the Kluthe Center and offers general education courses as well as full college programs in Nursing, Massage Therapy, and Physical Therapist Assistant. It also features an Innovation Center with virtual reality, augmented reality, and makerspace labs.

In his newsletter, Miller criticized recent legislative efforts in Illinois that would change the funding formula for state universities to promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The proposed changes would factor in academic programs, enrollment numbers, and diversity metrics such as geographic, racial, and socioeconomic factors when determining funding levels for universities.

According to University of Illinois Executive Vice President Dr. Nicholas Jones during a Senate hearing in April: “The proposed legislation penalizes institutions that provide the most support for underrepresented and rural students while failing to ensure long-term access,” Jones said. “Although we support several of the key aspirational goals of the bill, we do not agree with the methodology proposed to achieve those goals. Nor do we agree that this will provide what the University of Illinois needs to succeed.”

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen also raised concerns about a lack of academic performance metrics in the proposal: “Maybe it’s a philosophical difference, but there ought to be an outcome orientation to the overall methodology to support public higher education in the state of Illinois,” Killeen said. “That includes graduation. It includes participation in civil society.”

Miller stated his opposition to DEI-focused policies: “Illinois schools are being under attack by Democratic propaganda of ‘Creating a Fair Environment’ and students are being indoctrinated. We need to put a hard stop to this divisive movement and protect our schools and students from progressive policies that reduce quality education.”

The funding formula reform is based on recommendations from a commission established by previous legislation; however, some commission members have expressed concerns about missing elements such as constitutional questions and transparency issues related to appropriations processes.

House Bill 1581 did not advance out of committee this spring session; its companion Senate Bill 13 also failed but supporters plan further action.

Miller also commented on President Trump’s decision to withdraw federal funds from certain media organizations in Illinois after events organized by groups affiliated with Public Media Institute drew criticism for their content. Between 2020-2023, PMI reportedly received over $320,000 in government grants used for activities described by critics as politically motivated (https://www.aol.com/taxpayer-funded-group-teaches-marxist-210735348.html).

On state salaries, Miller noted that recent raises have resulted in average pay for Illinois state employees rising faster than private sector wages since 2021. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average state employee salaries reached $85,689 compared to $78,267 in the private sector as of 2024 (https://www.illinoispolicy.org/state-government-salaries-have-grown-57-faster-than-private-sector-since-2021/).

He also addressed issues regarding electric school buses produced by Lion Electric—a company once promoted as part of Illinois’ push toward electric vehicles—which has filed for bankruptcy and announced it will not honor warranties on thousands of buses sold nationwide (https://wirepoints.org/once-an-illinois-showpiece-e-v-maker-bankrupt-lion-electric-voids-warranties-on-school-buses-sold-in-illinois-and-across-the-u-s-wirepoints/).

Regarding fraud investigations into COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program loans among state workers and agency employees—including those at CTA and PACE—Miller referenced findings from the Inspector General’s office indicating widespread misuse (https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2025/07/26/fraud-ppp-state-workers-inspector-general-watchdog).

For constituents interested in shopping locally or exploring small businesses across Illinois regions, Miller shared resources including a guide available online (https://www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/illinois-made).

Miller was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 101st House District in 2023 following Reggie Phillips.

His office remains open Monday through Friday at 1113 Lincoln Ave., Charleston.