SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, issued the following statement after taking the oath of office on Wednesday:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve another term, and for the trust area residents place in me to represent their values in Springfield. As I walk door-to-door, I am motivated by the stories I hear from working families who want to see more good-paying jobs with benefits, relief from high property taxes, access to affordable health care and a future of better economic outcomes.
“We have made real progress to spur economic growth in the Quad Cities and in Illinois. Last year, we created a statewide historic tax credit program to help stimulate the redevelopment of empty buildings, thereby creating new construction jobs and generating long-term economic activity. However, more must be done. It’s time that we crack down on corporations that send local jobs out of state and make them repay any taxpayer money they received. It’s time that we hold corporations accountable to paying their workers a living wage—enough to comfortably raise a family on. The strength of our state’s economy is dependent on the financial wellbeing of our working families, and of the security of the local small businesses and the labor unions that employ them. It is my priority in Springfield to push for policies that lift up the middle class and in turn strengthen Illinois’ economic position.
“The weeks and months ahead will present new challenges and difficult decisions, but I welcome them. I am ready to work on behalf of my district to improve the economic climate and overall wellbeing of our state.”
