West Central Reporter

Joshua Griffith, a candidate for Illinois' 93rd state House District, recently spoke out about efforts to penalize local leaders for trying to enact right to work zones in their municipalities. 

Senate Bill 1905 would have prohibited setting up areas in the state where workers can opt out of union dues. The state Senate during the recent veto sessions had voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto but the House was one vote short, the Southwest Illinois News previously reported. 

“It is clear the Springfield political class is focused on doing what is best for themselves and not the people of Illinois,” Griffith told West Central Reporter. “That is why Rep. Hammond joined with Democrat Speaker Madigan and voted for a 32 percent tax increase in July. We need conservative reform leaders who will stand up for us and our local communities, not take their marching orders from Chicago Democrats.”

Joshua Griffith and family

Griffith called Senate Bill 1905’s dictates to local governments oppressive.

“Our local governments know the landscape of their towns, cities, and counties better than the state government,” Griffith said. “Just like they were wrong with the tax increase that Hammond signed, they are overstepping with this bill as well.”

In fact, Griffith said, he supports empowering boards at the local level in general.

“I would like to see our local governments have the ability to do what’s best for their own municipalities,” Griffith said. “Instead of focusing on taking more money from our pockets, our legislators need to focus on bringing jobs to the state and making Illinois a destination state again.”

Griffith said that if he were a legislator, he would personally not support what he called the “criminalization of economic policy.”

“I’m going to Springfield to reform state government and ensure it works for the people, not the politicians,” Griffith said. “I will push for legislation that reins in government and empowers our families. I will vote against legislation that makes it a criminal act for those officials that want to bring jobs to their communities … This is important because our state needs jobs. Illinois has lost many opportunities for business simply because we are not a right to work state. This has to change.”

Griffith is running in in the 93rd district against state Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb).