Southern Illinois News

Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) recently posted a campaign video on Facebook focusing on high gas prices and tax hikes.

“With rising prices and increased cost of living, we need our state representatives to have our backs,” Windhorst wrote on Facebook.

AAA reported Illinois’ average gas price is over $4.80. Gas prices can be tracked on a U.S. Department of Energy page.

Recently, Windhorst announced that communities in the 118th District are receiving funding to improve housing and infrastructure.

“I am pleased to announce several communities in the 118th district are set to receive grant funding for infrastructure and individual housing improvements,” Windhorst said. “These Federal resources are passed through the State of Illinois to help with critical infrastructure needs that will improve sewer and water delivery systems, brighten the future of villages, towns, and counties, and ease the burden on local property taxpayers.”

Before his election to the House of Representatives, Windhorst was the State's Attorney for Massac County. According to his campaign website, his focus was protecting “the community by putting violent criminals and drug dealers behind bars.” 

He’s also made efforts toward opposing the 2021 Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act.

“As a member of the Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee and as a member of the Illinois House in the 101st General Assembly, I voted against the sweeping package of reforms that make up the SAFE-T Act,” Windhorst said on his website. “Now, I’ve introduced legislation that would repeal the anti-police reforms in the law. This is one step Illinois can take to restore law and order and stem the tide of spiraling crime.”

Windhorst was recently heard on a morning radio show.

“It’s always great to join Tom Miller on WJPF Morning Newswatch,” Windhorst wrote in a 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."