Nybo Files For Redrawn 24th District Senate Seat
Opts against re-election bid that would pit him against fellow GOP representative
Touting all 2,800 petition signatures came from door-to-door work across the 24th Senate District, State Rep. Chris Nybo announced Monday he had filed to run in the Republican primary for the redrawn seat.
The 24th District includes all or parts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lisle, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton and Willowbrook.
Nybo, an Elmhurst resident, blamed the Democrat-drawn district map for pitting Republican against one another, including in his current 41st House district.
"In the 41st District that I currently represent, I would be forced to run against Rep. Patti Bellock. We need more female representation in Springfield so I would not run against her under those circumstances," Nybo said in a statement. "Family comes first, so I would not move my young family away from their friends, school and our church into another district simply to advance a political career.
"Filing for State Senate is the only way I can continue to represent the majority of people in the 41st District. I was gratified that so many friends and neighbors strongly urged me to run for State Senate," he said.
Incumbent state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale also filed for the Republican primary on Monday. Nybo has requested copies of Dillard's petitions. One Democrat - listed as A. Ghani of Oak Brook - also has filed for the primary.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
2:28 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Congratulations Chris. I don't pretend to be unbiased. I'm someone who just believes strongly in good solid government and a guy who does on the floor of the General Assembly exactly what he tells you he's going to do when he's on your front porch. This guy is as solid as they get. Illinois needs a dramatic makeover. The crew who got us $90B in debt is not the crew that will get us out of debt. Time to make a difference. Chris Nybo already has.
J. Ryan Potts
3:01 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The status quo is no longer acceptable. While Sen. Dillard is a good man and has been a good representative for the Western Suburbs for quite some time, his time to make a difference has come and gone. Our Representatives down in Springfield for the last several decades just have not gotten it done. It's time for new blood. Best of luck to you Chris!
John
4:12 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
In our GOP primary you pick the guy who will best be able to serve the needs of the constituents he or she serves. If you believe a 1st term house rep (who has offended much of the leadership of his own party) is better able to serve as a State Senator than the KIrk Dillard, the former Chief of Staff to the last decent Governor in Illinois (who took this state from a 1+ Billion dollar deficit to a 1+billion dollar surplus) then we have different opinions of what a good candidate looks like.
Sounds to me like you are voting for change for change's sake and the last time I saw that done we ended up with Obama as president. Two elections ago this guy was a brand new alderman in Elmhurst and since has barely served a term in the House. We can NOT afford his on the job training in the Senate - the stakes are too high. In Dillard we have proven leadership; in Dillard we have proven ability. Please do not continue to feed into Madigan's hands by killing our best players for the political ambition of a newcomer.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
5:25 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
John, With due respect, how about we look at the actual person's record and not the one of the last decent governor. That means the Senate record since 1993. The Blago borrowing bill, the RTA sales tax, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, the Dream Act, Gambling Expansion, Red Light Speed Cameras, and the Corporate Buy Out package only yesterday that could only muster 8 votes in the House. 6 years ago Chris was a brand new Alderman, a year ago he was sworn in to represent the interests of the 110,000 people in the 41st District. Yes, he's new and younger. He also cared more about those 110,000 residents thought about creating more jobs with Worker's Comp Reform than a few leaders. Mr. Dillard cast the same vote. We now have a $90B deficit accrued since the Chief of Staff of the last decent Governor took his seat in the Senate. You explain to me what we can't afford because the stakes are so high. Your "best" layer has been passing every bill Rahm Emanuel has sent his way. From where I view this, one's a reformer and one's a recliner. I'm for reform. We all ought to be.
J. Ryan Potts
4:27 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
John:
Didn't Dillard all but endorse Obama? I seem to remember a campaign video for Obama where Dillard appeared. Hey, I'm no Obama hater but I find your reference to Nybo as "another Obama" quite curious when juxtaposed with Dillard's endorsement. While there are certainly actions/votes by Chris that I don't agree with, at least they were intellectually without influence and made with his best of intentions. I think we could have used a lot more intellectual honesty and independent thought over the last two decades while the governing masses in Springfield hamstrung our generation and our kid's generation with insurmountable deficits via political cow-towing and blatant vote pandering. We need independent thought, independent leadership and a new generation of representatives. We are not getting that through the status quo...and the status quo has had their opportunity to defeat Madigan - and they've failed. Who thinks electing Sen. Dillard will yield a different result this time?
Jamie
6:46 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
"In the 41st District that I currently represent, I would be forced to run against Rep. Patti Bellock. We need more female representation in Springfield so I would not run against her under those circumstances,"
What a chauvinistic statement from Mr. Nybo. He presumes he's a superior candidate to Ms. Bellock and would beat her but he won't run against her. Does he think that women can't compete on an even scale in politics? Ms. Bellock is a stellar representative and would have no trouble beating Mr. Nybo.
"Family comes first, so I would not move my young family away from their friends, school and our church into another district simply to advance a political career."
Really??? In September he said he wouldn't run against Ms. Pihos because she was a female too even though she didn't live in his current district. Would Mr. Nybo have packed up his family and moved if the district represented by Ms. Pihos was represented by a male?
“I did not want to run against my esteemed colleagues Patti Bellock or Sandy Pihos," Nybo said, although Pihos does not live in the district. "There are far too few women in the state legislature, and both Patti and Sandy are among the most conscientious and committed legislators in Springfield. I would not be comfortable attempting to reduce the number of women representatives by even one.”
http://elmhurst.patch.com/articles/nybo-announces-run-for-the-new-24th-senate-district
Kevin Fitzpatrick
12:02 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jamie, In order, here are the answers to your questions; He does think women can compete on an even scale. He wishes he had more women colleagues. He believes they bring a vital perspective to the legislature. He has repeatedly said so.
He would not have picked up and moved anywhere to run in another district. He has said this from the outset of the new maps that were drawn to create this mess. He could have run in any area that falls within the area he currently serves, including Rep. Piho's district. He advised both Reps. Pihos and Bellock in June that he would not run against either of them.
Glad you put the link up. Your interpretation of the story is quite mistaken. There's not a chauvinistic bone in his body.
He has remained steadfast from the outset that he would run where he lives.
Jamie
12:28 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Kevin F,
Could Mr.Nybo have run in Ms. Pihos' district without moving?
If Mr. Nybo were to win the nomination would he not run against the democrat if the nominee was a female? Does Mr.Nybo only support the idea of more female representation in Springfield if they are republicans?
Kevin Fitzpatrick
7:27 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jamie, He never considered running against Sandy Pihos. If he ran there, he would have had to move before running again in two years. If the opponent from the other side of the aisle were a woman (something he has no control over), of course he would run against that person. Finally, yes, he strongly prefers Republican women in the legislature. Unfortunately, the other side has been better about electing more women.
Jamie
12:40 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Kevin,
If he never considered running against Ms. Pihos why did he say “I did not want to run against my esteemed colleagues Patti Bellock or Sandy Pihos," Nybo said, although Pihos does not live in the district. "There are far too few women in the state legislature, and both Patti and Sandy are among the most conscientious and committed legislators in Springfield. I would not be comfortable attempting to reduce the number of women representatives by even one.”
Is Mr. Nybo taking the lead on this and asking his republican male colleagues to not run against his republican female colleagues?
Please explain why his concern for female representation in Springfield only applies to republican females.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
12:55 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jamie, I'll do my best to answer your questions. He said he did not wish to run against his esteemed colleagues Reps. Bellock and Pihos, because he didn't wish to run against them, whether considering it or not. This wasn't an exclusive story in The Patch, he told them both so personally. They both appreciated the courtesy. He is not calling on his male Republican colleagues to do anything. He's taking ownership of his own preference and his own view on this. Your final question has an obvious answer. He is a Republican. The Democratic party members can demonstrate more concern for Democratic female members. He would like a Republican majority with more Republican women in the General Assembly. It's that simple.
John
9:19 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
This guy scares me. He reminds me of Richard Nixon. Something is not right about this guy.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
12:12 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
John, are you sure you're not confusing him with James Polk or Chester Arthur. They served before he was born too.
John
5:24 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Kevin, I have had firsthand experience with this guy and it was not good at all. I do not normally agree with the boys in Addison Township, but for whatever their reasons they are right on this one. It is best to keep Dillard and let this one go back into private life and work out the kinks if he can.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
7:31 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
John, I have firsthand experience with this guy now and have for quite a while. "The boys in Addison Township??" That's really what you call them? I think I agree with the Ladies and Gentlemen in York Township who know him best. Chris is their guy. They know a hard worker and super smart guy when they see one. If you're in the district, you're fortunate to have him.
Alana McBride-Piech
9:26 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Really? "The boys in Addison Township??" That comment John is truly scary. So yes, it's time for a man who respects women in politics. You stay with your "good old boy group." How's it been working for you?
John
7:54 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
John, The last time I looked at the district map there was a whole lot more to it than York Township. If he is that hard a worker maybe he will show up in our area and then he can try to explain why he did what he did to us. We already know why, so it would be interesting to see if he tells the truth. Again, back to private life and try to work out the kinks. He is not ready for prime time.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
9:44 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
John, We've taken a very good look at the map. If you live in the 24th District, he's shown up in your area. He's been exerting shoe leather since June. If the past 20 years is "prime time" to you, we don't need any more of it. "Serious time" is what we need and he's definitely ready for serious time.
John
8:06 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
There are more than one people named "John" posting here...just so we are all clear about this....
Kevin Fitzpatrick
9:44 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
If you used your whole name or your real name, we'd all be very clear.
Steven Bayne
8:49 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The ONLY way the Republicans are going to re-establish credibility with the electorate is to come up with new, smarter, and more aggressive candidates. The current regime within the party is exemplary of the sort of lack luster mediocrity we have come to expect. Nybo can be abrasive and argumentative but looked at from outside of the party structure, rather than from an insider's point of view, he is a refreshing change: animated, intelligent, quick minded, and ideologically rational in most all the right areas.
Bill Angel
11:18 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Hey Fitz, It's a documented fact that Chris Nybo has a woman problem of having them holding key positions in government or in the private sector. Mr. Nybo and you talk a good game but don't walk the talk. Let me explain. Kevin, you are his keeper.
When Mr. Nybo sat on the Elmhurst City council he was part and parcel of the "boys gang" who was directly responsible for firing every single Alderwomen who had held a leadership position as Chair of the Elmhurst City Council and its committees. To this day not a single female holds a Chair position, thanks to Mr. Nybo.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
11:41 am on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
His Keeper? Sorry Mr. Angel. Enthusiastic supporter; yes. Volunteer; yes. Impressed and willing to work hard; absolutely yes. Keeper; no sir. He had great admiration and respect for Ms. Moriarty, who was his colleague in the 5th Ward. How do you "fire" an Alderperson Mr. Angel? I don't know how it works on the City Council, but it would seem that if you have 8 of 14 votes or 7 plus the Mayor, you become Chairman. I can assure you that he has no problem with women holding key positions in government or the private sector. That's silly. In his own Legislative Advisory Council, nearly half the members are women (very capable and driven women, by the way). Two of those committees (out of 5 with chairmen) have very capable women chairmen. In fact, he goes out of his way to make sure women have prominent positions. I definitely walk the talk Mr. Angel and so does Chris Nybo. He recently sponsored a bill with Rep. Pihos to declare "Alzheimers Awareness Month" He works closely and professionally with all of his women colleagues. Any council or board could have personality issues or conflicts that go well beyond gender. This observation of yours is incorrect. We both believe more women should run for public office to get to leadership positions. It's a heckuva lot tougher for women and it shouldn't be. I speak from experience on this one.
Bill Angel
1:25 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Advisory Council? How about free political operatives!
Kevin Fitzpatrick
1:38 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Nope Mr. Angel, 65 dedicated members from throughout the entire district who serve on 6 Committees including Business & Economic Affairs, Education, Environmental Concerns, Seniors, Social & Human Services (and Veterans) and State Finances & Accountability. Each committee meets 9-10 times a year to do research on legislation and make recommendations with a quarterly general meeting. Like him, they are dedicated folks who are serving you. The only compensation they receive is a stand up guy in Springfield who advances the legislation they study, debate and recommend. They aren't political operatives by any stretch. They're just great citizens. No doubt you would know several of them. They probably aren't too fond of you at the moment though.
Alana McBride-Piech
10:03 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Now you are out of line Mr. Angel. Let me set the record straight as I am a woman, and on the Advisory Council. The Chris Nybo that I know not only believes there is a place in government for women, he goes out of his way to educate and clarify the state legislature for anyone on his Legislative Advisory Council, including all women. He does an outstanding job educating us, and he challenges us to become better informed citizens being involved in this Council. If you are going to slam us - know what your talking about.
Bill Angel
9:30 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
AMP. Not a slam, nothing personal. It's about the Chis Nybo who voted to fire every single woman who held a ledership position when he was Alderman.
In fact, Chris Nybo has described a certain Alderwomen with some extremely salty faul language.
Ask Mr. Nybo why he votes to essentially do away with competive bidding for City contracts.
You mean to tell me you are not interested in working on Mr. Nybo's campaign?
Kevin Fitzpatrick
10:13 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mr. Angel, Alderman don't get to "fire" people, men or women. Your innuendo is getting more than a bit tiresome. Nobody votes to "essentially do away with competitive bidding" That's a remarkably foolish statement. There are public acts in place that govern the bidding process. No single Alderman can ever "wave" competitive bidding on their own. If there are mitigating circumstances that make one bidder more qualified than another, a majority of a board can wave the process at a public meeting. It seems you or the Alderperson you're speaking for can't attain a majority of a board to follow their lead on policy issues. Maybe a little more professional persuasion would be more suitable than your innuendo anonymously lobbed in a blog. Leadership positions on boards are "earned" by the confidence your colleagues have in you. Are you suggesting another method? If so, democracy is taking a hit.
Alana McBride-Piech
11:06 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Yes BA - it is a slam, and personally don't give much credance to heresay. I do not have the time to or interest to step backward and take on your old baggage. I prefer to step forward, by working on Mr. Nybo's campaign.
Bill Angel
12:59 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Fitz, Believe it or not we do agree with your assertion on most of your point.
We find it troubling that this particular contract (and one other) that was let to a firm who's principle just happened to write a check to Mr. Nybo for $500 and who also just happen to attend the same high school.
Prior to Nybo and his crew each and every contract was vetted and the process followed.
@AMB-We get that you are an operative-just callit what it is. It's not hearsay, it's on teh record. Go get 'em tigress!
Kevin Fitzpatrick
1:35 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mr. Angel, It really is kind of hypocritical to defend the honor of women and then say "Go get 'em tigress", don't you think. You've just deflated any argument you could ever have. Pretty despicable sir. On your other "without merit" point, lots of High School, College, Law School friends write checks at fundraisers. Even for a whopping $500. Everyone in your community knows the circumstances around why a contract for a parking deck was awarded to the most competent and most responsible contractor, who has done work in your community for many years. Since you're the paragon of financial virtue, explain why the guy you supported took $250,000 from the teacher's union the last time he ran for office. Or why so much gambling expansion money comes his way; lots more than $500 from a boyhood friend. I watch your council meetings on cable. They still vet contracts at every meeting. I would assume their vetted in committee as well, and by a very professional staff before that. Elmhurst is a well run community. You're lucky to live there if you do. Try a little harder to live up to it. Usually only my pals call me Fitz. I'll make an exception for you if you promise not to call me "tiger".
Alana McBride-Piech
1:13 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Really??? Go get'em tigress? Really???
Dan
8:06 am on Friday, December 2, 2011
After Mr. Nybo has talked to thousands of citizens to get the 2800 signitures I would be interested to know what the top few concerns he kept hearing.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
10:55 am on Friday, December 2, 2011
Dan, visit www.chrisnybo.com for details. For the record, candidates were limited to filing with 1000 minimum signatures and 3000 maximum. Chris collected well over the maximum, but submitted 2800+ in accordance with the filing guidelines. The issues are posted regularly on this website, as is his voting record on a range of issues.
Dan
10:43 pm on Friday, December 2, 2011
Kevin, I feel like I asked an honest question about what concerns are most on peoples minds as Nybo gathered his signatures. I went to his web site as you suggested and didn't see anything that would answer that question. It felt a little like a bait and switch.
I friend of mine who is running for County board in District 6 has found the biggest concern he has run across is rising property taxes and the number of folks that can no longer afford them. He has been surprised by the large number of people who feel Illinois government is hopeless and are making concrete plans to move out of the state.
So again what is on the minds of the thousands of folks that took the time to sign Mr. Nybo's petition and what plans does he have to address them?
I'm in that group that is concerned about high property taxes. As I have studied the issue I have learned the root cause is how Illinois funds education. Since Nybo"s web site doesn't state his views on education funding and his approach to the rising property taxes could you?
Kevin Fitzpatrick
11:08 pm on Friday, December 2, 2011
Dan, there are a number of big issues out there that people are talking about. When they are considering a state candidate, among the biggest issues are unemployment and underemployment, the state's horrible financial position worsening as pension reform is continually put off and social issues of life and the 2nd Amendment. How those come up largely depends upon the age and circumstance of the resident. Education is a mixed bag depending on whether it's primary or higher education. Public education generally ranges from very good to excellent throughout the communities in the 24th District. Property taxes have become a huge expense specifically for many seniors. If you want to ask Chris a specific question, email him at chris@chrisnybo.com Hope this gives you a little more of what you're looking for.