South West Illinois News

David Severin, the Republican candidate for State Representative in the 117th District, said the recent passage of the stopgap budget is a “positive step,” but legislators have yet to overcome an even tougher hurdle — much needed reforms.

At the bidding of Springfield Democrats, reforms have been placed on the back burner until after the November election — one that Severin says is pivotal.

“This election is now a time for choosing between two different paths for Southern Illinois,” Severin wrote in a recent blog post. “We can either continue the status quo of debt, deficits, higher taxes, and less jobs that has plagued our state for too long or we could choose a different path.”

The political newcomer and owner of All-Stars-N-Stitches in Benton said he is “offering something different” to voters in District 117.

“What if we attracted people to move here? What if businesses invested and created jobs in Southern Illinois again? If we change nothing — nothing will change,” he wrote. “I will fight for term limits, balanced budgets, low taxes, and job creating reforms. We can do better.”

State Rep. John Bradley, who has held the District 117 seat since 2003, has asserted that Severin was hand-picked by Gov. Bruce Rauner — a claim Severin denies.

“The people of Southern Illinois deserve an honest and frank discussion about the choices before them," he stated. "Instead, my opponent has probably already produced the attack ads and negative mailers that will surely attempt to tie me to the governor. Here are the facts: I’ve never met the man — I’ve never spoken to him. When considering running to serve the people of Southern Illinois, our family’s prayers never included asking for permission from Mr. Rauner.”

Bradley voted with Madigan for an unprecedented 67 percent tax hike in 2011, Severin noted. Two years later, Bradley appeased Madigan again by supporting “unconstitutional” teacher and state worker pensions, Severin said.

“When Madigan asked for his support in cutting school funding four out of the last 10 years, Bradley went along," he said. "This past May, Madigan asked him to vote for a budget unbalanced by $7 billion and Bradley approved. John Bradley has made his choice —and now it’s time we made ours.”