South West Illinois News

Hoping to bring Southern Illinois values to Springfield, Dale Fowler -- the Republican candidate for state Senate in District 59 -- recently had an opportunity to meet with presidential candidate Donald Trump to discuss the region’s coal industry.

 

“We talked about supporting Illinois coal and creating jobs,” Fowler said. “He said ‘Let's get it done!’"

 

Fowler, who wants Illinois to regain its competitive business edge, recently voiced his views on the state’s economic outlook. As a fifth-generation Southern Illinoisan, he has previously witnessed the Prairie State’s faltering recovery from the nationwide Great Recession in 2007-09 and the current budget stalemate in Springfield.

 

"Too many hard-working people in Southern Illinois can’t find a job," Fowler said. "It is time to get our government working again so companies can feel confident investing in Illinois. We cannot rely on our state government to create jobs. The growth we need must come from the private sector. In order to foster this much-needed capital investment, we must take steps to make Illinois more competitive."

Fowler, whose broad experience comprises not only farming but also business and corrections, is mayor of Harrisburg. He recently obtained an endorsement from Marion Mayor Robert Butler.

 

Fowler faces incumbent state Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton) in November. Both candidates ran unopposed in their respective primaries.