Republican State Representative Bob Pritchard spoke to several DeKalb County farmers Friday about his first year in office and future plans.

Pritchard spoke at Jim Wassman’s farm in Waterman in his campaign for re-election as Illinois 70th District State Representative.

“I get to talk to a lot of the leaders in DeKalb’s agricultural industry this way,” Pritchard said.

The escalating medical malpractice rates and the increases in trucking fees in Illinois are two areas he wants to see resolved, he said.

“I want to work with other people to make progress on these issues,” Pritchard said. “There’s an importance to have grassroots involvement.”

During the speech, Pritchard stressed the importance of agriculture in the district and the need to make Gov. Rod Blagojevich understand this issue.

“This governor doesn’t seem to have any idea on the importance of agriculture,” he said.

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau has commended Pritchard for his stand for agriculture.

“For the legislative bills that were monitored by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Pritchard supported our positions 100 percent of the time,” said Greg Millburg, government affairs director of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

Pritchard has been part of the bureau in the past and has been very supportive of it. He is very well-respected by the bureau, Millburg said.

Pritchard also discussed the need to get property tax relief without displacing a quality education at an affordable price.

“Dave [Wirsing] was a huge champion of NIU. My wife has been employed [at NIU] for 20 years, so I understand the importance of higher education and the impact it has on jobs and economy,” he said.

Bob Pritchard’s key issues:

1. Affordable health care

2. Property tax relief

3. Quality education

4. Job increases

Source: Bob Pritchard