Dillard seeks Republican nod for governor

PRINCETON — A suburban state senator is seeking to represent the Republican party in next fall’s election for governor.

Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) expects to face Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), Dan Proft, Robert Schillerstrom, Adam Andrzejewski, Andy McKenna and Jim Ryan in the Republican primary, which will take place Feb. 2. The filing deadline is Dec. 1.

Dillard, 54, said he is especially qualified for the position.

“I believe I have a unique set of skills and experience that the state desperately needs at this time,” he said. “I also believe I have the right geographic ability to understand the state.”

Dillard was chief of staff for former Gov. Jim Edgar, who had endorsed his run, saying Dillard was instrumental in his fiscal discipline and control. Dillard said he has lived or been educated in all regions of the state and understands the needs of the different regions.

If elected, Dillard said one of his priorities would be to make Illinois what he calls a destination economy.

“I want businesses to locate here, or expand here, but most importantly, to remain here,” he said. “I’m going to lead the single most aggressive plan of private job creation the state’s ever seen.”

Some ways of accomplishing that are to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, speed up the permit process, and reduce the cost of doing business.

“Our workman’s compensation costs are completely out of whack with every other state around us, and I will arm wrestle the governors of Iowa and Wisconsin and Indiana, Missouri and our border states for every job I can get in Illinois,” Dillard said.

Dillard also wants to improve Illinois’ school system, restore integrity to the governor’s office, and address the state’s economic crisis.

“It is obscene for the state of Illinois to be a deadbeat when it comes to paying your local nursing home, your local hospital or reimbursing our school districts for state aid,” he said. “It’s immoral, and it is untenable. And we’re going to go back to paying our bills on time.”

Dillard said he is a good choice for rural voters.

“I am the only candidate running for governor that has a farmer as their campaign manager,” he said. “And, I understand that agriculture is the most important thing in Illinois, whether it’s preserving the family farm, or helping the implement dealer here in Princeton, or Sara Lee or ADM, the actual producers of food products.”