South West Illinois News

Republican David Friess, a candidate in Illinois’ 116th District race for the House of Representatives, wonders why his Democratic rival hasn’t signed a pledge to enact legislative term limits.

“It’s been 43 days since I signed the People’s Pledge,” Friess wrote on Facebook. “Since then, my opponent still refuses to support term limits and still supports (Rep.) Mike Madigan as speaker.

Friess is running against incumbent Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Red Bud), who has served since 2011.

Rep. Jerry Costello

More Republican candidates and current lawmakers have recently signed the pledge, which vows to impose term limits for state legislators and replace Madigan (D-Chicago) as House Speaker.

“Haven't we had enough of Madigan and the legislators who support him?” Friess said.

Friess also met with Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti recently at a public forum at Café on the Abby in Columbia.

Friess’ platform includes cutting taxes, adding jobs, reducing spending, enacting term limits and replacing Madigan as speaker, his website states.

“Mike Madigan has spent 46 years reigning over the financial destruction of our once proud state,” Friess said. “Jerry Costello supports Mike Madigan at the start of every new session. Mike Madigan supports Jerry Costello during election time. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois loses.”

Adjacent to the St. Louis metro area, the 116th District includes parts of Monroe, Perry, Randolph and St. Clair counties.