Springfield, IL — Illinois House and Senate Republicans attempted to block legislation that brought jobs, new businesses, and COVID-19 relief funding to their own districts. Representatives Chris Miller (IL-101), Steve Reick (IL-63), Adam Niemerg (IL-102) and Senator Chapin Rose (IL-51) and Seth Lewis (IL-24) have collectively taken credit for a combined $90.1 million in economic development funding for their districts, despite voting against or refusing to vote for legislation that provided the funding.
“These legislators are lying to their constituents,” said Democratic Party of Illinois spokesperson Gwen Pepin. “As they brag about economic development wins, voters and business leaders should know they refused to stand for every single one of these investments. While Democrats delivered for their communities, Republicans stood in the way.”
Here’s the ILGOP’s record of taking credit for legislation that supported new businesses, jobs, and economic growth, even though they tried to block it:
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In June 2026, Representative Chris Miller celebrated the groundbreaking of Rural King’s Store Support Center Campus, a $75 million investment through Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy program, despite refusing to vote for legislation that expanded the program.
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In April 2026, Senator Chapin Rose took credit for a $2.2 million grant for a new industrial park through Illinois’ Regional Site Readiness Program, despite voting against funding it.
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In October 2025, Representative Steve Reick touted a $10 million IDOT grant for economically-distressed communities, despite voting against the program.
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In September 2023, Senator Seth Lewis highlighted nearly $3 million in Back to Business grants for restaurants and hotels in his district, despite voting against funds for COVID-19 recovery.
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In August 2023, Representative Adam Niemerg celebrated a company in his district receiving a $37,000 employer training investment program grant, despite voting against funding it.
