George Barber, the head men’s basketball coach at Greenville University, is a candidate for the 54th District Senate seat in 2018.

The 53-year-old Barber said he would model his service on principled conservatives such as Ronald Reagan (on whose campaign he worked while in college), former State Sen. Frank Watson and current State Sen. Kyle McCarter.

Barber says Illinois is a great state to raise a family, but the opportunities and prosperity that made Illinois an economic leader in the 1990’s have been severely constrained today.

“The state economy is not what it once was, Barber said. Today, it’s burdened by regulation, taxation and litigation making the cost of doing business a roadblock to business expansion and job creation. Additionally, Illinois government is not fiscally responsible.

Barber says Illinois needs to lower the cost of doing business, untie the hands of entrepreneurs and make government live within its means.

The 54th Senate District covers all of Bond, Clinton, Fayette and Marion Counties and parts of Effingham, Madison, St. Clair and Washington Counties.