Illinois Republicans are reacting to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address. Congressman Peter Roskam represents Chicago’s western suburbs. He said the president is supporting spending levels that are too high. Roskam also said the president has vowed to do away with earmarks in the past, but he hasn’t lived up to those words.

“[It was] super-strong on the themes and the rhetoric - and rhetoric, frankly, that we’ve heard before,” Roskam said. “But in terms of the follow-up, I think the president is sort of living the happy life of low expectations.”

Meanwhile, Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert said she was encouraged by the president’s pledge to work to create more private sector jobs. She also said she was happy to hear the president call for more science research.