North Cook News

The Illinois Supreme Court recently issued a 4-3 decision with a Democratic majority agreeing with Cook County Circuit Judge Diane Larsen’s ruling that the Independent Maps Amendment proposal did not fit the narrow legal window for citizen initiatives to change the 1970 Illinois Constitution, meaning it will not be on the November ballot.

Mel Thillens, Republican candidate for Senate for District 28, laments the ruling.

Mel Thillens

“A loss for the people of Illinois,” Thillens stated briefly on his Facebook. “A victory for Madigan and his allies. Something is wrong when the vast majority of voters want change, and our representative government doesn't get it done.”

He asserts that the current system does not represent the voters and he promises to continue to fight for remapping and term limits if he is elected senator.

“It’s a shame that entrenched politicians and their insider allies would fight to deny Illinoisans the right to vote for Independent Maps, and I am disappointed in the court’s decision to side with them over the will of the voters,” Thillens said in a statement released to North Cook News. “As a state senator, I will stand up to the career politicians that run Springfield by supporting independent maps and term limits. Something is wrong when the vast majority of voters want change and our representative government doesn't get it done.”

 

As he walks the roads of District 28, he hears a common trend when talking to the constituents of the state: frustration.

 

“I’ve been busy knocking on doors and going to events around the district,” Thillens said. “I’m out talking to voters every day and hearing their concerns about our state. People are rightfully frustrated with what’s going on and feel like the politicians in Springfield aren’t doing their jobs.”

 

Thillens asserts that the 59 state senators and 118 state representatives in the Illinois General Assembly who were elected to represent their districts have yet to accomplish much while the state faces lost manufacturing jobs and a diminishing workforce. Thillens promises to tackle those problems straight on.

 

“That can change, but it starts by sending independent leaders down to Springfield,” Thillens said. “As a state senator, I will fight for term limits, fair maps, property tax relief, pension reform and small business initiatives. While the politicians in Springfield want to point the finger at one another, I am committed to solutions.”

 

As a man defined by actions more so than words, Thillens refuses to be idle on his promises. He let his actions speak for themselves.

 

“To show my commitment to term limits, I recently signed a pledge to serve a maximum of ten years in office,” Thillens said. “On the Park Ridge Park Board, I’ve voted to hold the line on property taxes for the last four years, while building a budget surplus and expanding park access. Additionally, I will refuse a pension as a state senator. I look forward to being an advocate for taxpayers and standing up to the entrenched politicians who have run Illinois into the ground.”

 

Standing up to the entrenched politicians while also standing up for the voters is Thillens’ prerogative, which is why he approves of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s recent signing of the Illinois Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights into law.

 

“I applaud Gov. Rauner for signing a law to expand the rights of domestic workers,” Thillens said. “The new law expands sexual harassment protections, requires at least minimum-wage pay, and ensures domestic workers at least one day off per week. Many domestic workers are female immigrants. It’s important that we ensure these workers are not exploited and are adequately compensated for the work they do.”

The law was the result of a five-year campaign by the Illinois Domestic Workers’ Coalition and makes Illinois the seventh state to enforce basic workplace protections for domestic workers. The new law amends four existing laws to include domestic workers.