Southern Illinois News

No important topic was left off the table during Illinois State Rep. Patrick Windhorst's (R-Metropolis) recent talk radio show appearance in the Marion-Carbondale area at the end of last month. 

Windhorst shared his interview with WJPF radio personality Tom Miller on Facebook. 

"It's always great to join Tom Miller on WJPF Morning Newswatch," Windhorst wrote in the May 31 Facebook post. "Today we spoke about high energy and gas prices, possible decisions coming from the United States Supreme Court this summer, the tough regulatory environment in Illinois that hampers job creation, and finally an upcoming event in Anna to rename a highway for fallen American hero Sgt. Brian Romines."

During the interview with WJPF, Miller asked Windhorst about gas prices and the cost of living in the Prairie State. Windhorst told Miller Illinoisans "seem to have it worse," which he blamed partly on the state's tax structure, high state gas tax, and other policies that make Illinois "the expensive place to live."

When it comes to the Supreme Court draft opinion leak on abortion rights, Windhorst explained that the decision could be left up to each state to decide a portion of the policy for the entire nation. Although Windhorst voted against the Reproductive Health Act in Illinois, he said it allows a pregnancy to be terminated up to the point of birth. 

Windhorst also spoke about crime rates and the SAFE-T Act during the interview. He said that looking back at history, crime rates dropped significantly between the mid-'90s to mid-2010s following stricter penalties being enacted. Windhorst added that when those penalties and restrictions were lifted. Windhorst said he believes, even during a crime surge, it could get even higher because of the SAFE-T Act which he believes lessons the consequences of some crimes.