Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) said he was encouraged to hear Governor Bruce Rauner lay out a positive vision for Illinois today during the annual State of the State Address at the State Capitol in Springfield.

“He did a great job reminding us we possess the talent and resources to overcome our challenges if we work together in a bipartisan fashion,” Schimpf said.

Despite his positive takeaway from the speech in the Illinois House, Schimpf said there is still more work to be done in Springfield if we want to reignite Illinois’ economy and get back on the right track of creating jobs and reform broken policy.

“The Governor correctly noted that last year's tax increase did not solve the root problem facing Illinois. Simply put, job creators don’t want to come to our state,” Schimpf said. “In order to achieve long-term economic stability, we need the economic growth that comes from businesses choosing to hire people who live in our state.”

Just last week, Sen. Schimpf laid out his Eight for ’18 agenda – a vision for bringing these positive changes to the Land of Lincoln. The proposals touch on the work that can be done in in the district to reignite the state’s economy and get the train moving forward once again.

“Today the governor correctly noted that growing government and increasing taxes are policies that have failed our state,” Schimpf said. “During the past three years, I’ve called for spending cuts and economic reforms.  Last year the General Assembly produced a massive tax hike and an unbalanced budget.  Raising taxes isn’t the answer. We need spending cuts and reforms. “

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Senator Schimpf will serve as the Republican spokesman for the Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee as well as the Senate’s Agriculture; Commerce and Economic Development; Financial Institutions; Telecommunications and Info Technology; and Judiciary committees.

Sen. Schimpf was born at Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County and was raised in Monroe County.  He spent the majority of his career on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Sen. Schimpf retired from the Marine Corps in 2013 and returned to his hometown of Waterloo.  He is "Of Counsel" position with the law firm of Stumpf & Gutknecht, P.C. in Columbia.

Sen. Schimpf took the Oath of Office during the Inauguration of the 100th General Assembly, Jan. 11, 2017 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill.

The 58th Senate District includes all or parts of Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair, Washington and Union Counties and represents more than 220,000 Illinois citizens.  Discover more at senatorschimpf.com and find him on Facebook.

Alexandrea Williams

awilliams@sgop.ilga.gov

W: 217-782-8685