South Central Reporter

It's time to Reimagine Illinois, State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) said.

He and other Republican House members have unveiled a legislative agenda on ending corruption, growing jobs and economic opportunity and ensuring public safety.

"Imagine an Illinois where every community has good-paying jobs, access to health care and educational opportunities that work for all students," Meier said at a recent news conference. "Imagine if Illinois encouraged investment across our state by recognizing and using all of our state's strengths. We could then create jobs across Illinois. Our available infrastructure combined with sound economic policies can once again make Illinois the leader in job creation."

He cited apprentice work programs as a key to improving the state's economy.

"Imagine if Illinois was a leader in making sure our workforce has the skills needed to compete in the ever-changing economy," the legislator said.

The state should also eliminate excessive regulations and mandates, Meier said.

"Illinois has a lot of assets in terms of creating jobs across the state," he said. "We need to eliminate countless regulations and red tape and allow job creators a chance to grow and freedom to be flexible."

Those reforms would make Illinois a better place to work and raise a family, he said.

"If the Legislature approves legislation to help grow Illinois jobs and opportunities for our families, then Illinois could be a better place to live and work for generations," Meier said.

Meier represents parts of Madison, St. Clair, Clinton and Washington counties.

State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg), an accountant, said responsible fiscal leadership has not been present in Illinois for "many years" and putting that back at the forefront through the Reimagine Illinois plan.

"Imagine a state of Illinois where leaders take their fiscal responsibility seriously, watching every penny instead of raising taxes, increasing spending and piling up debt, year after year," she said. "Imagine if Illinois actually adopted responsible fiscal leadership that requires all budgets to be balanced."