U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (left) and Adam Kinzinger both said President Obama needs to offer more practical solutions rather than just rhetoric. (WJBC file photo)

By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – Illinois Republicans didn't seem phased by President Obama's State of the Union address.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon said the President failed to offer any practical solutions to Americans problems which sounded as though he was still campaigning.

“I had hoped to hear that the President was ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work on the serious challenges we face," Kinzinger said. "Unfortunately, the American people heard nothing new from President Obama. We heard him ignore the fact that we have a divided government and once again continue to push for spending money we don’t have on big government that doesn't work".

"I hope that the next two are productive and we can govern as the American have asked, seeking common ground. Governing can be messy, but right now governing is necessary. Let’s focus on 2015, not 2016.”

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville said President Obama has a lot of big and bold ideas, but he hasn't laid out a plan to act on them.  He said it's time for the president to back his words up with actions, especially when it comes to equal pay for women.

"The President ought to look at his own White House where he pays women an average of 18 percent less than men," Davis said, noting women make an average of $4,000 per year more than men in his office. "The President talks, but talk is cheap when his actions don't match his rhetoric."

Davis said President Obama is also fudging the truth a tad when it comes to how well the economy is doing.  He says the Gross Domestic Product has certainly grown over the past six years, but only the top ten percent of people have seen their income rise. Davis said middle class families actually saw a drop in pay.

Davis added unemployment numbers are also misleading because many no longer figured into the jobless numbers have given up seeking work.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen's interview with Kinzinger on WJBC.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Metro News Service contributed to this report.