An incoming freshman lawmaker says it will be hard to pass or hold up legislation in Springfield, given his party's disappointing election results.
Republican Bill Hauter of Morton said he plans to focus on constituent services. “What I can do and what I have been doing as an emergency physician is I’ve been helping people,” Hauter said. “What you can do in the super minority is you can be a voice for your district and you can also help people. You can help constituents.”
Hauter's district covers a six county-area that includes the metro areas of Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Springfield and Decatur.
Hauter, whose district is mostly rural, said he decided to run because of what he calls “COVID tyranny.” He opposed lockdowns and other measures the Pritzker administration put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Democrats grew their super majorities in the Illinois legislature and reelected Gov. JB Pritzker in an election that saw generally disappointing results for Republicans.
“We’re in the super-duper-minority,” said Hauter, attributing the success of Illinois Democrats to "money, maps, and the machine." He said the legislative maps Democrats approved gave them a distinct advantage, and labor and public sector unions that the Democratic party harnessed to get their candidates elected.
Speaking on WGLT's Sound Ideas, he mused, “It’s a wonder to behold how they can get out the vote.”
Hauter said he’s not sure any of the Republican candidates could have defeated Pritzker, after he said the Richard Irvin campaign committed “malpractice” by trying to paint eventual GOP nominee Darren Bailey and another candidate, Jesse Sullivan, as tax-loving liberals.
Safe-T Act
When Hauter takes office in January, possibly even before the 103rd General Assembly begins, Illinois lawmakers will be watching the impact the Safe- T Act will have on criminal justice.
The most controversial component, which bans the use of cash bail, has Hauter and other critics worried that crime will spike.
“I can’t figure out who the constituency is for this bill except criminals,” said Hauter, predicting Illinois lawmakers will need to revisit the law in the spring once the state sees the consequences of what he calls a “catch and release” system.
Advocates of the bill say the law will not measurably change the number of inmates being held in custody awaiting trial, as most defendants who face felony charges are typically not jailed for more than a few days before trial under current laws that enable most of them to post cash bail for their release.
Assault weapons ban
Hauter said he plans to oppose any assault weapons ban that could come up this spring, calling a ban “virtue signaling.”
“It’s a big detour around what we really need to do (to curb gun violence) and it’s not with the actual weapon. It’s with hearts and minds and how we raise our kids,” he said.
Pritzker has called for an assault weapons ban to pass as soon as possible. One proposal would raise the minimum age to get a FOID card to 21.
Hauter said the government uses the FOID card as another layer of bureaucracy and control that will turn young hunters into felons.
