The early tenure of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is already drawing a lot of criticism from Republican lawmakers in Springfield and one local House member is encouraging residents to reach out to Democratic leaders and tell their stories of how their legislation is going to impact them.

From the minimum wage hike to the recently rolled out income tax restructuring proposal, State Representative Dan Caulkins says instead of complaining to each other and online bickering, reach out to lawmakers of the opposite party and tell your story and let them know how what they are doing is going to impact you.

Rep. Caulkins recognizes there's a challenge in dealing with Democrats in Illinois because many have a strong alliance with the Speaker and the Senate President and now the Governor, but he hopes Illinoisans will be "patriots and citizens and stand up for what is right."