By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

While many see the times the State of Illinois is experiencing as a darker era, one State Senator says he feels it is just a matter of time before the state comes back around.

State Senator Jason Barickman was a guest on a recent Community Forum and talked about the political obstacles in Springfield, from bipartisan efforts, to issues with longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

“I always tell people I think the future in Illinois is bright, but we are on a dark road right now and that road seems to be longer than any of us wish it was,” Barickman said.

The complete forum is available at wjez.com.