By Jessica Dillon
Representative Chris Lawless held a press conference on Jan. 1 — his first day as a member of the Henry County Board of Supervisors, to highlight recent work he said he has done in the community, and his plans to continue.
The conference was outside a tobacco and vape shop at the corner of Oakland Drive and Virginia Avenue, where he said a large stockpile of tires had been identified by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office as a code violation.
Lawless said he helped the shop’s owner understand the violation and worked with him to have the tires removed.
Because the shop’s owner does not speak fluent English, Lawless said he coordinated with another individual outside the area to help communicate.
“I know that the sheriff’s office has been doing all the effort they can to get rid of these tires, and a lot of other people in the community,” Lawless said. “I actually came in. I was able to communicate with the owners, and was able to find a happy medium where we got these tires out of here.”
Lawless said the tires were removed within two days.
“The next goal is to start cleaning up the sides of the street, and these people are actually at the tobacco and vape shops, and look, they understand what I’m trying to do,” he said.
Lawless said he supports new businesses locating to Collinsville, but emphasized the importance of following regulations from the start.
“If you want to come into the Collinsville District and you want to create a business, let’s do it the right way. Let’s do it the right way right off the gate, and let’s make a difference for everybody,” he said.
Lawless said his public presence on New Year’s Day was intended to show his commitment to the district.
“Everybody thought my last campaign was just a big show. It’s not a show,” he said. “I’m out here on January the first letting everybody know that I’m trying to make a difference. And the new campaign going forward into 2026 is trash, grass and drugs, and how all of them are tied together.”
Lawless said drugs have been added to his “trash and grass” slogan, referencing drug enforcement efforts led by Sheriff Wayne Davis. Lawless compared Davis to “Batman,” and said he would like to serve as his “Robin” in the local fight against drugs.
Davis said he appreciates support from Lawless and the Board of Supervisors.
“I do not want to see my children leave this area due to the fact that they can’t make it here because the business is not here,” Lawless said. “Economic growth ties in with trash, grass and drugs.”
Earlier in the day, Lawless worked with the Trash Pandas volunteer group to pick up litter and said he plans to continue those efforts.
“I want to make sure that everybody understands what our mission is this year and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “And I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, and I ain’t gonna stop.”
Lawless also announced plans to launch the ‘Collinsville Connection.’ a group intended to help local businesses network and collaborate. He said the group is expected to launch near the end of January and will be structured as a nonprofit.
“What the Collinsville Connection is gonna do is it’s going to allow all these business leaders, small and big, to come together,” he said. “So, my small businesses have a voice. Small businesses need to have a voice so they can survive, and they need to get noticed. They need to be out here in the media. We need to give them attention, and we need to support them.”
Lawless encouraged residents to reach out if they need assistance.
“It takes all of us as a community in order to be able to do it,” he said. “But again, I’m telling you, please don’t be a part of the problem. Be a part of the solution.”
