(WSIL) — “We’ve got to quit spending more than we take in as a state. We’ve got to stop that. We’ve got to flush the system of many state mandates,” said Illinois Senator Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). Bailey is one three republicans who have announced they’ll run for Illinois Governor in 2022.

On Tuesday, March 30, Bailey made stops in Hamilton, Williamson, and Massac Counties for various events. Bailey said he was meeting with “new friends” while meeting supporters at Mackie’s Pizza in Marion.

Before that Bailey toured a coal mine in Hamilton County. He says down state supporters all have similar concerns.

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“People are concerned about their property taxes. People are frustrated that their family and friends have moved away. Law enforcement are tired of being disrespected. School teachers are tired of not being able to teach their kids as they would so choose,” Bailey said.

Bailey says he’ll stand out in the race for the governor’s mansion because he’s “…bringing honesty and accountability to the table. A strong work ethic. A desire to truly reform Illinois and bringing things to the table that many people wouldn’t normally want to do because of risks involved.”

Bailey says lowering taxes and ending unfunded mandates are his biggest goals.

“We’ve got police officers now where the state is no longer going to pay for their training. They’re going to be forced to wear body cameras. That’s all gotta be paid for locally now. If we can stop some of this—these mandates–unfunded mandates–that’s how we can lower property taxes, ” Bailey said.

“If we can hold government accountable to their spending. Start over with a zero-based budget and make every department account for every dollar that they spend–that’s how we trim the fat and bring accountability to Illinois State Government,” he added.