Dear Editor,

I want to thank Dane Ecton for taking time to voice his opinion and his concerns. We need more people to be engaged in the political process and I certainly applaud Mr. Ecton’s efforts to get involved.

But I must set the record straight. I remain a strong proponent of Eastern Illinois University. I am working with the University on an almost daily basis both here and in Springfield to lower tuition costs, lower the cost of procurements, stop the unfunded mandates to universities, save the pensions for retirees, increase MAP funding and help the University attract more students.

I have and will continue to fight for Eastern Illinois University, Lake Land College and Lincoln Trails College. I’ve been promised an appointment to the Higher Education Board by the Governor’s office. This person is a personal friend and from our area which in turn will give us a voice in Higher Ed that we have never had. This is great news for EIU, Lake Land and Lincoln Trails.

I’m fighting to reform a broken system in Springfield.  Mr. Ecton do you really think more of the last 25 years is going to fix Illinois? Political gamesmanship is destroying our state. On Nov. 10^th we unanimously passed the funding of 9-1-1, lottery, and motor fuel tax but House Speaker Michael Madigan held the bill instead of sending it to the Senate. Why?

Because everything he does is aimed at forcing a tax increase. It is all about power and control.

My goal from the beginning has been to take power away from the career politicians and return it back to the people. We need to do what is right for Illinois. I want a better future for students like Mr. Ecton so that when he graduates, he has the opportunity to land a good job in Illinois. The solution to the state’s problems is not to double down on the very policies that have created the current problems but to work for reform.

We need business and economic reforms to get Illinois working and to ensure that college graduates have an opportunity to enter the work force. I urge Mr. Ecton and the residents of the 110^th District to join me in bringing the reforms we need to get Illinois working again.

Sincerely,

Reggie Phillips, State Rep. 110^th District