EFFINGHAM — Disappointed with his state rep's vote to hike state income taxes by 32%, Effingham businessman Brian Milleville announced Wednesday that he's challenging 5-term GOP incumbent John Cavaletto for his 107th District House seat.
Pointing to Chicago Democrats and what he called "Surrender" Republicans, Milleville said those in office have walked away from central Illinois taxpayers that just can't afford more taxes.
“Springfield politicians either don’t understand, or they don’t care. Central Illinois families can’t afford higher taxes, and they can’t afford politicians who go to Springfield and are captured by establishment insiders,” said Milleville. “When a politician stops representing our interests, and instead partners with Chicago Democrats on policies that hurt our families, they need to be replaced.”
Those Republican House members that joined Speaker Madigan and the Democrats in voting to increase Illinois personal income tax by 32% are: Reps. Andersson, Bryant, Cavaletto, Davidsmeyer, Fortner, Hammond, D. Harris, Hays, Jimenez, Meier, B. Mitchell, Phillips, Pritchard, Reis and Unes.
Since that vote, Andersson, Fortner, Jimenez and Pritchard have said they will not run for re-election in 2018.
Milleville, a co-founder of the Effingham County Tea Party, said that Rep Cavaletto's vote will cost Effingham County families an additional $11 million more. He said residents in each county Cavaletto claims to represent will pay more than before: Marion ($8,512,003), Fayette ($3,717,845), Clinton ($9,678,020), Bond ($3,654,918).
Families in those communities are being forced to tighten their belts to send more to Springfield: City of Effingham ($638 more on average per family), Altamont ($499), Centralia ($429), Greenville ($570), Pocahontas ($575), Salem ($490), St. Elmo ($444), and Vandalia ($459).
“Our home values are being devastated, our taxes are skyrocketing, government spending is spiking, and jobs and businesses are fleeing. Families were already struggling to make ends meet and Cavaletto made it worse by voting to take more money from their paychecks. Every conversation I have with a friend or neighbor is about their plan to leave Illinois,” said Milleville. “I’m going to Springfield to take on the political ruling class and protect your home and the life you are trying to build. That means lowering income and property taxes, reforming government, and enforcing spending caps.
Milleville went on to say that he fears for the future of his grandchildren. "I see our youth leaving our communities, never to return. I see businesses leaving our communities. I see neighbors we have known for years leaving for friendlier states like Tennessee, Florida or Texas. I see those same neighbors leave and become successful in their new states. I see our tax bills going up, but our opportunities for better jobs declining. I see more and more people struggling to make a living," he said.
“Conservative voters in our district deserve a representative who will not join hands with Democrats to increase taxes. The establishment and pro-tax Republicans in power have shown they are unwilling to stand up for us. I’m going to Springfield to fight for our communities. It’s time we hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.”
Milleville is a small business owner and general manager of a hotel in Effingham. From 2011 to 2015 he served on the Effingham City Council.
