88th Statehouse District Candidate - Chuck Erickson

Chuck Erickson
Republican Candidate for the 88th Statehouse District

1. How do we bring the citizens of Illinois together to work on solutions and opportunities non-dependent on party lines?

As a 12-year member of the McLean County Board, we currently have a board that is 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans.  When I was chair of the Land Use Committee, I proposed a text amendment to our ordinances that allowed the Land Use Committee to propose text amendments.  Prior to that, only the zoning board could propose text amendments.  I found it odd that only unelected members or the zoning board could propose text amendments but not the elected members of the Land Use Committee.  I obtained bi-partisan support and passed it.
From that, the Land Use Committee proposed text amendments for wind farms and most recently, carbon sequestration. I moved on as chair of the Land Use Committee to chair of the Justice Committee.  But I assisted in a text amendment for the regulation of wind farms in McLean County.  State government eventually took that away from us by removing local control to state control.  I still support local control and will advocate for local control as your State Representative.
In regards to carbon sequestration, our Land Use Committee proposed a text amendment for carbon sequestration.  We passed it with bi-partisan support.  We think it keeps our citizens safer.  We were advised by our State's Attorney that we can put in some regulations, but we cannot exclude carbon sequestration.
Long story short, the ethanol plant in Gibson City sought zoning approval at the same time for carbon sequestration.  We denied the request with a bi-partisan vote. But we were clear, the ethanol plant can reapply after one year and hopefully the EPA along with the Illinois Commerce Commission will come up with more safety regulations.
To directly answer the question, one going to Springfield is going to have work with Democrats, like it or not. I have been able to do so.  However, I do say that we work with them when we can and stand up to them when we must.
County boards deal with the agricultural issues, not school boards.  I have 12-years of experience doing so and working with our agricultural community and local farm bureau. In my county board races, I have been endorsed by the McLean County Farm Bureau.

2.  With so many economic opportunities in the carbon market how do we accomplish this safety, personal property rights and up-front science-based information.

When the ethanol plant in Gibson City sought the authority to store gas underground, I purposely asked our local farm bureau what the consensus was in the agricultural community.  The answer - depends who you ask. As many farmers were for carbon sequestration and many were opposed. In essence, I got no guidance from our agricultural community. I then voted for the text amendment referenced in the above paragraph 1. We want it to be safe, but we cannot keep it out.
I believe our text amendment attempted to balance the needs of safety, personal property rights and science. We do have the Mahomet Aquifer over here.  I am very pro protecting our water resources. Yet, I have voted in favor fracking in support of personal property rights. I am much more likely to support this where drinking water is not involved.

3. As an elected official of Illinois what can we do to encourage the citizens of Illinois to have trust in the political arena and the politicians of Illinois?

I think the only way to encourage Illinois citizens to trust the political arena is for the political arena to earn the trust of its citizens. We must pass realistic and effective ethics reforms.  We must stop devaluing the citizen with schools that don't promote our values or at least tolerate them. We must increase the inheritance tax exemption out of respect for our agricultural community.  We must show our businesses and citizens we want you here, not tax and regulate them out of existence.  We must show that we don't think you automatically must be a criminal if you own a firearm and end gun registration. We must stop devaluing the citizen while increasing the hand of government in our lives.

4. What is your position on the CO2 pipelines being proposed?

On the pipelines, I do not support the use of eminent domain to acquire land for these pipelines. But I think we all are waiting on the EPA and Illinois Commerce Commission to give us more guidance on safety concerns. Until then, and depending on what is provided, I would not support presently such pipelines.
To be honest, I am not convinced we need carbon sequestration either. But with the political climate in Illinois being what it is, we must keep it as safe as we can and away from water sources. If our State's Attorney is correct, we cannot exclude it forever.

5. If a piece of legislation were to pass with your opposition, and if the original sponsors were to come back and make changes, would you stand on your principles or approve the changes?

It depends on the changes.  I consider myself a pragmatic conservative. Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little. But, to answer your question, I would have to know what the changes were because if the changes addressed my concerns, I would support it.  If it did not, I would have see how far it went.

6. On a daily basis, how would you go about building relationships with the majority?

    I have experience working with Democrats.  Our county board is 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. I talk with them all the time. That doesn't mean I agree with them all the time. In fact, I disagree with them a lot. On county boards, you run as a Republican or Democrat.  A county board is election is not non-partisan.
I have worked with Democrats on a bi-partisan basis.  From land use ordinances, animal control policy, to coming with ways to help small businesses during the Covid pandemic such as no interest loans, McLean County Board extends helping hand to suffering small businesses, taxpayers | WJBC AM 1230, there are so many examples I don't know where to start.  I have had to work with Democrats.  I don't just talk about it. But like I said earlier, you work with them when you can, you stand up to them when you must.
On a daily basis, you have to be civil.  People reserve the right to respectfully agree to disagree. People also have a right to take a stand. I don't think any Democrat on the McLean County Board would tell you I am not civil.  I take their calls and call them when necessary. They will tell you that I am also not afraid to take a stand.  They respect me for that. I will do the same in Springfield. Finally, I leave you with this:

Friends, colleagues celebrate retirement of former McLean County Board chair John McIntyre | WGLT “I think John tried to promote civility. It’s a hard thing to promote anymore in politics,” added county board member Chuck Erickson. McIntyre wanted county board members to be civil with each other when presenting their arguments. But then, when the issue is over, recognize, “Hey, you’re still going to see them at the grocery store, and you have to say hi,” said Erickson.