State Representative Chad Hays has announced he will not seek reelection in 2018. The Catlin Republican has served in the Illinois General Assembly since December of 2010 and as Assistant Minority Leader since 2013.
‘’Serving in the Illinois House of Representatives has been a supreme honor and a tremendous privilege,’’ said Hays. ‘’I have been a passionate advocate for Vermilion and Champaign Counties and the East Central Illinois area, and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to temporarily occupy the seat representing the 104th District.’’
Hays pointed to a changing political climate in Springfield as a contributing factor of his upcoming exit from state politics. ‘’The functionality of the Illinois General Assembly today is simply untenable and counterproductive,’’ said Hays. ‘’Legislators who care deeply and have the courage of their convictions and the intestinal fortitude to do what is right regardless of consequences are increasingly silenced. I believe we are in serious jeopardy of independent thought being a relic in our public discourse,’’ added Representative Hays.
‘’The current dislike and trust between the Governor and Speaker has paralyzed government in Illinois,’’ said Hays. ‘’Ego, money and power eclipse the desire of well-meaning and honest public servants, and blame, press conferences and talking points have replaced governing. Sadly, voices of moderation and reason are increasingly elbowed out by well-financed fringe elements,’’ added Hays.
Hays continued, ‘’The rules of engagement of the House of Representatives are the conduit to one man unilaterally controlling the legislative process in a total and complete end run around democracy. The stifling nature of the House Rules render ‘we the people’ void of a voice or even a venue from which to be heard. We have become a remote outpost in relation to what our Founding Fathers had in mind.’’
Hays served as Mayor of Catlin for two terms before his election to the Illinois General Assembly. He has also served on many community based organizations….including the Danville Area Economic Development Corporation (Vermilion Advantage), Danville Rotary Club, and the Vermilion Area Community Health Center.
‘’It has been the honor of a lifetime to have been able to serve as a public official in Springfield for the last seven years, and at this point I do plan to serve out the remainder of my current term,’’ said Hays. ‘’Thereafter, I look forward to enjoying time with my wife, children and grandchildren while I continue to strive to make East Central Illinois a better place to live, work and raise a family.’’
