* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
A number of Republican Illinois state representatives have announced that they won’t run for re-election in 2018 after bucking governor and party to support a tax increase. The people aiming to replace them say that’s why they’re running. […]
Eastern Illinois University trustee Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, is one of several considering a run for Rep. Bill Mitchell’s, R-Forsyth, seat after he said he wouldn’t run for re-election. Caulkins was appalled by the GOP votes in favor of a tax increase without anything in return.
“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”
EIU almost died due to lack of a budget and he’s complaining about the tax hike.
That’s quite something.
It appears that Caulkins’ initial appointment to the EIU board was confirmed back in February. However, his reappointment was recently assigned to the Senate Executive Appointments Committee.
Perhaps the the committee can ask Mr. Caulkins about this matter?
* Also, from the press release announcing his appointment in 2015…
Currently, Caulkins is the Vice President and COO of Patterson House, Inc. The company operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities.
…Adding… Hmm…
- Blue Bayou - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Sounds like the poster boy for an IPI-style ILGOP.
Represent an area by killing its economic engine for the sake of ideological purity.
While making a living in the very service sector he wants to destroy.
What a great human being.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:48 am:
“I did enjoyed EIU being put to the brink… ‘but the tax hike’… ”
Yeah.
Rauner vetoed funding, again, for EIU.
The Democrats with Rep. Mitchell, other GOP members… saved EIU…
Dan Caulkins is now, arguably, the most ignorant to self awareness candidate I’ve come across in a long time.
A pathetic person lacking an understanding to his own perficament for EIU.
“Got nothing”?
It kept EIU…open.
“Rauner vetoed that”
Keep up, Dan Caulkins.
Thank YOU, Rep. Mitchell.
I won’t forget. Promise.
- Me Again - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:48 am:
That’s what you get for running up a bunch of bills that you never intended to pay.
- We'll See - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:50 am:
“We got nothing out of it” - other than a budget you dope.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:53 am:
Way to support your alma mater…
“Daniel Caulkins, who was appointed to the EIU Board of Trustees in November 2015, earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern in 1973.”
https://tinyurl.com/yc7djj54
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:53 am:
Just what Illinois needs: Another gabby dorm-room purist who thinks he’s entitled to others actually doing the necessary heavy-lifting.
Wouldn’t want to get messy or rip a hangnail.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:55 am:
Just what we need another candidate who is uninformed and talks sideways
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:55 am:
This will be fun to watch. I suppose though most of the district wants smaller gvt and lower taxes. Let it begin with EIU.
- NoGifts - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:56 am:
https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/Boards/mbInfo.aspx?osm=c9&CommMemberID=24 AND operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities? Really?
- Political Animal - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:57 am:
I know its shocking to the tax and spend sensibilities around here, but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues. Barring that, some people were willing to accept a temporary increase if it came with long term reductions in spending and long term improvements to the business environment.
What we got was a tax increase with no meaningful changes to long term spending and no meaningful improvements to the economy that funds the Government to begin with.
This guy is on point and I would be happy to donate or volunteer for his campaign.
- thunderspirit - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am:
== “We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.” ==
Not a single union busted. That’s simply unacceptable to Mr. Caulkins and his bankrolling Governor.
- Markus - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am:
If he’s still COO at Patterson House, a wellness check on the residents in those group homes might be in order.
- GV - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 11:59 am:
Looking at his last race for city council in Decatur he took donations from AFSCME, Firefighters, IBEW, Operating Engineers, Painters, Laborers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Carpenters, and Roofers unions, as well as from Decatur Building and Construction Trades and Decatur Trades and Labor. How does that play in IPI World?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:01 pm:
- Political Animal -
Dan Caulkins is a trustee that is against thd tax increase, but can’t understand that Rauner vetoed all of EIU’s funding… and is “cool” with that.
That’s what you’d volunteer for, a person so unaware that the Illinois House needs that logic?
Oh boy, lol
- Political Animal - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:04 pm:
==Rauner vetoed all of EIU’s funding==
That’s a nonsense argument no matter how many times you repeat it.
Vetoing the budget does not mean you’re opposed to every line item in it. Support for any bill is contingent on the whole package, which is often more than a sum of the parts.
Or do you think every House Dem who voted against the school funding compromise is against all school funding? If the bill hadn’t passed, schools wouldn’t have been paid.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
-Political Animal- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.
Too bad Governor Junk never introduced such a budget. Right?
- David - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
We first saw bite the hand that feeds you from guys like Rauner that made their money off pensions and want to to 22nd them. This is some new phenomenon..anyone explain this clearly irrational behaviour?
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
Would fun watching him on a porch explaining why EIU should still be without a budget and laying off staff. Good luck with that.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
PA, your word salad neglects to mention the governor’s line-item and reduction veto powers.
It’s all about process….
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
I cannot wait to see what junior Raunerite gets nod to replace my rep: Andersson
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
Oh, - Political Animal -, LOL…
You can’t tout that “tax hike” veto and then say that vetoing the entire EIU budget is nonsense.
Good try, thou. Made me laugh.
“Rauner vetoed EIU funding”
That’s true. Thems the breaks.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
Must have went to school at Rauner Prep
- Because I said so.... - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
Not only did the vote for the tax increase save EIU but I do believe they received a little extra, percentage wise than the other public universities, likely the extra push Reggie needed to switch over. And this guy is a trustee and did not know that!?!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
===Currently, Caulkins is the Vice President and COO of Patterson House, Inc. The company operates homes for adults with developmental disabilities.===
Wonder …if… that company was paid, and …when… by Comptroller Munger, and …how… much.
- ToughGuy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:28 pm:
He’ll be a perfect fit for the district. Run as anti Chicago guy, yell and scream about any revenue increases and then act totally shocked and appalled when anything in your district is cut. Raunerism 101. Be the victim.
- Past the Rule of 85 - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:31 pm:
-Political Animal @11:57- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.
As I recall the Legislature asked every Agency Director where cuts could be made and not a single one offered any suggestions. It’s pretty hard to balance the budget on cuts alone when they won’t tell you where cuts can be made.
- East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:34 pm:
As an EIU Alum and current resident of the area around EIU . . . Mr. Caulkins, please DO NOT run for any kind of political office. What part of EIU absolutely needing that budget to pass, did you not understand?
- We'll See - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:36 pm:
Cauklins’ company, like most comunity providers, has been getting paid because of Federal consent decrees, therefore they didn’t feel the pain of being one of Bruce’s hostages.
- Joe Biden Was Here - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
EIU has quite a champion in this guy. His business is 100 percent dependent on state and federal funds (the DD waiver program) but he’s posing as an anti government pro business guy. Geez Louise….
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 12:45 pm:
EIU alums and other persons interested in quality higher education - vote accordingly.
- We'll See - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
I wonder if Cauklins’ company and him support the ongoing effort to raise the state’s funding for direct support staff. If so, hypocrisy abounds.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
===“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”===
Another fiscal liberal. Wants all the services but can’t stand the thought of paying for them.
- Skeptical - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
As a distinguished alum, make him grand marshal of the EIU homecoming parade. Give everyone a chance to give him a friendly wave.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
-Political Animal @11:57- …but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.
You do understand that such a budget would necessarily eliminate EIU and eliminate or make very dramatic cuts to the funding for Mr. Caulkin’s business. Although, I suppose if he starts making big bucks as a state rep, he won’t need that COO job anymore.
Caulkin is either oblivious to the reality of a cut budget or he is willing to grossly misrepresent his actual position in order to pander to a sector of the voting public. Perhaps if you volunteer for his campaign, you can find out and let us know.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
==but some people actually wanted a budget that was balanced with existing revenues.==
When you start with that you can’t be taken seriously. A serious person would never say such a thing. It couldn’t be done. Period.
==This guy is on point==
He was on point to close his university? Heck of a trustee.
==Vetoing the budget does not mean you’re opposed to every line item in it.==
Then perhaps he should have used is line item veto power to get rid of what he didn’t want and appropriate what he did like.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
I would vote against his appointment. He clearly isn’t interested in maintaining EIU as a going concern or he wouldn’t have berated the tax increase. Why would you want a trustee who either doesn’t care about EIU or is completely blind to reality.
- forwhatitsworth - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:21 pm:
===Eastern Illinois University trustee Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, is one of several considering a run for Rep. Bill Mitchell’s, R-Forsyth, seat after he said he wouldn’t run for re-election. Caulkins was appalled by the GOP votes in favor of a tax increase without anything in return.
“We got nothing out of it,” he said. “The people of Illinois got nothing but higher income taxes.”===
What about not falling to junk bond status and the ability to pay some bills?
- Texian - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:23 pm:
As bad as Texans Republicans can be, the Illinois ones are much worse.
- Undiscovered country - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
We must destroy our village in order to save it. - Rep. Caulkins
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
==As bad as Texans Republicans can be, the Illinois ones are much worse.==
Because they voted for a tax increase so that we can pay our bills?
- Texian - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
The Texans are paying their bills. That’s one of the reasons I had to leave Illinois. The Illinois GOP has stopped Illinois from being able to pay theirs.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
Repubs. Dems. No difference when it comes to spending hypocrisy.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:10 pm:
I don’t vote for men with gray facial hair, especially mustaches.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
VMan, I’ll keep that in mind. lol
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
C’mon guys. Take it easy on him. He said him himself. “He was appalled”.
When you’re appalled, you have no choice. /s
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
===VMan, I’ll keep that in mind. lol===
Time to buy stock in Grecian Formula?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Gray beards are OK within reason, they might get my vote.
Gray goatees, no. Fifteen years out of style. No.
Gray mustaches - Dude, no. Please. It’s not 1980.
This guy? Geez. No way. That mustache looks like it came out of a Montgomery Ward junk mail flyer from 1978.
- igotgotgotgotnotime - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
The Texans were very smart to put that ocean of oil under their state, and then tax all the other states to use it.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
I can’t even talk to a guy with a nasty old gray mustache without thinking, “Dude, you’re so totally out of it.”
You eat with that thing?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
Could be worse VMan. Could be a handlebar mustache.
- Decatur Girl - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 6:20 pm:
He was the guy who tapped the woman’s shoulder and told her to put her book down which she was reading at the Trump rally in Springfield.
- bigD - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 7:43 pm:
Didn’t EIU get extra funding in the budget agreement for aging HVAC systems in 2 or 3 of their main buildings that were old as dirt? I would say that is something.
- OurMagician - Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 8:29 pm:
As an EIU alum and voter in your potential district, I’m glad to be able to not vote for you.
- bamatthews - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Interesting from May, 2010 as well. I can’t imagine things have changed much since then.
http://herald-review.com/news/local/private-vendors-local-businesses-suffer-as-illinois-fails-to-pay/article_8f20a5ab-2afd-5890-a686-34555ae7667d.html
Dan Caulkins, co-owner of Patterson House Inc., said the state owes more than $750,000 in Medicaid costs to the four group homes it operates for developmentally disabled adults in Central Illinois.
“The last month we were paid for was November,” he said.
Before the federal stimulus package helped the state catch up with some Medicaid payments, Caulkins said the state was as far as six months behind. Currently, it’s closer to two months behind, but he is concerned it’ll soon get worse.
“The stimulus money has forced the state to give some priority to its health care providers, which is greatly appreciated for now,” he said. “But that isn’t going to last. We’re going to find ourselves back in the cycle that we were in prior to this federal money.”