The Republican nomination race for Illinois’ 88th House Seat

Image Courtesy of McLean County

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois 88th House District seat is up for grabs with two Central Illinois natives vying for the spot. The local farmer and current McLean County board member and the businesswoman from Decatur will face off in the primary elections. 

Chuck Erickson and Regan Deering are both republican candidates in the race for the 88th House District seat, with Erickson using his background in farming and law to advocate for small business and Deering using her childhood adoption as fuel to support the pro-life movement. Erickson had plenty to say about what it looks like to be House District Representative, and what he would do if elected. 

“It often involves constituent services,” Erickson said. “Let’s say someone is having problems with the Illinois Department of Family Services or the Public Health department, a representative could step in, not do any favors but work the proper channels and ask the proper questions to see what the individual is possibly doing wrong. Alternatively, they can ask what the individual is doing right and not getting the proper response for.”  

According to Deering’s campaign website, her main focuses are education, supporting small businesses and advocating for the pro-life movement. Should Erickson be elected to office, he has some ideas for how best to serve his community.  

“I would like to have a state of Illinois that is good for small businesses,” Erickson said. We need to have policies and other practices in place that support the growth of small businesses. We’ve got to do something that is going to maintain Illinois as a place where businesses want to come and the businesses here want to stay.” 

Erickson is currently a McLean Count Board member, and has been serving for a number of years. During his time on the board, he’s focused his attention on keeping taxes as low as possible. If elected, Erickson would carry this idea to his position on the house seat.  

“One of the focuses I’ve had on the board is to be a tax-payer advocate,” Erickson said. “We’ve maintained a relatively flat rate since 2011 when I joined the board.” 

Primary elections for Illinois will be held on March 19.  

Regan Deering was not available for comment.