Kankakee Times

Illinois state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), who wants fair maps to be a focus for this session's legislative agenda, was disappointed that Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not address the issue during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

Instead, Barickman argues, Pritzker spent the majority of the speech talking about last year.

"The question is, 'Where do we go from here?'" Barickman said. "I think as voters look to all of us as we embark on the spring session, there are several issues on people's minds. Fair maps are something the governor could lead and we didn’t hear anything from him about that. This is something we need."

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Barickman also said the cloud of corruption hanging over state government that has led to the resignation of two longtime Democratic leaders should be an important focus.

"The governor needs to address the issues that exist within his own party," Barickman said. "I am concerned that the reforms he wants to put in place are just window dressing."

Former Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) pled guilty to bribery charges last week, just two months after former state Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) did the same. 

"I hope we see leadership from the governor that the people want and need," Barickman said.