McHenry Times

Allen Skillicorn, the Republican candidate for state representative in House District 66, recently said he joined forces with other Illinois reformers to call for a voter referendum on a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the General Assembly.

“After experiencing the decay and failure of career politicians in Illinois, voters want term limits,” Skillicorn recently told McHenry Times. “I agree with the majority of voters in calling for a constitutional amendment for term limits to appear on the ballot.”

As an example, Skillicorn cited House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest-serving speaker in Illinois history, who has held the position since 1983, with the exception of two years when Republicans gained control of the House. Over all, Madigan has been a member of the House representing District 22 in Chicago since 1971.

“House Speaker Mike Madigan has been in Springfield for 45 years,” Skillicorn said. “Senate President John Cullerton (D-District 6) has been elected for another 37 years. These men are part of the problem, not the solution.”

Skillicorn said he would impose term limits on himself, wanting to practice what he preaches.

“I support term limits because after eight years, it is time to move on from the Illinois House,” Skillicorn said. “Limiting a politician’s span of service helps them focus on what they were sent by the people to do. Endless re-election campaigns and the accumulation of power by too many for too long has led Illinois to its current state of dysfunction.”

When it comes to key strengths and weaknesses of Illinois political leadership, Skillicorn said he believes Gov. Bruce Rauner is putting a considerable amount of effort into rescuing the state, and he supports Rauner’s efforts.

“Today I called on the General Assembly to vote on a constitutional amendment for term limits to help fix our broken political system,” Rauner said in a July 25 Facebook post. “We're facing tough challenges, but we can meet those challenges if we work together for reform. One step at a time. It starts right now. It starts with term limits.”

Skillicorn said he believes all term limits should reflect the presidential term limits. He is still perplexed as to why there is a such a difference.

“If the president of the United States is limited to just eight years, why not Illinois politicians?” he asked. “Let’s put it on the ballot and let the people decide.”

Skillicorn joined Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-District 61); Rod Drobinski, Republican candidate in House District 62; Dawn Abernathy, Republican candidate in House District 59; Mike Amrozowicz, Republican candidate in Senate District 31; Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-District 42); Rep. David Harris (R-District 53); Seth Lewis, Republican candidate in Senate District 23; Michelle Smith, Republican candidate in Senate District 49; Rep. Peter Breen (R-District 48); and Nick Sauer, Republican candidate in House District 51) in calling for term limits.

“Illinois is full of politicians who exist only to maintain the failed status quo,” Skillicorn said. "We need to put a check on government power by enacting term limits for state lawmakers."