Kirk Dillard

Last updated

On July 8, 2009, Dillard officially announced his candidacy for governor in Hinsdale, Illinois. [18] [19] He opened a campaign office on Ogden Avenue in Lisle, Illinois.

Dillard attempted to frame his campaign as focused on enacting Illinois ethics reform and making the state more financially responsible to the taxpayers. [20] The field for the February 2, 2010 primary was crowded, with seven Republicans running. Dillard was dogged through the entire campaign for a commercial in which he appeared to endorse Democrat Barack Obama for president, leading conservative activists to compare him to Dede Scozzafava. [21] [22] [23]

In his campaign for governor, Dillard was endorsed by the Illinois State Rifle Association, [24] NRA Political Victory Fund, [24] Illinois Education Association, [25] Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, Sangamon County Republican Party, Family-PAC, Aurora Beacon News, Chicago Sun-Times , Crain's Chicago Business, Peoria Journal Star, Elgin Courier, Kankakee City News, Naperville Sun, News-Herald, Southtown Star, Southwest News-Herald, Springfield State Journal-Register , St. Louis Post-Dispatch . [26] He was also endorsed by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. [27] [28] [29]

Dillard placed second, losing to Bill Brady by 193 votes. Dillard did not concede the race until a month after the election.

2014

Jil Tracy, whose family owns DOT Foods, was Dillard's running mate.

Dillard was endorsed by the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois State Rifle Association, AFSCME, former Governors Jim Edgar and Jim Thompson, and the Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council [30] [31]

Leading up to the March Primary, a Capitol Fax/We Ask America poll indicated that Bruce Rauner was leading in Dillard's home Senate District likely due to a strong television advertising push by Rauner. [32] However, a more recent We Ask America Poll was conducted just a week before the Primary Election and showed a late surge for Dillard.

Rauner defeated Dillard with 40% of the vote to Dillard's 37%.

Post-legislative career

In late June 2014 Dillard was selected to become the RTA's new chairperson. [33] He indicated that his priorities as RTA chair would include eliminating interagency turf wars and improving Metra service reliability. [1] In 2024, Governor JB Pritzker nominated Dillard to the Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University on April 12, 2023. The Illinois Senate confirmed Dillard on May 19, 2023. [34]

Reputation

In 2004, an unsigned opinion piece in The New York Times called on Dillard to run against his old friend Barack Obama for U.S. Senator, stating "Illinois needs you—and so does Mr. Obama." [35]

Dillard has been called an "accomplished and articulate legislator," by Politico. [36]

Awards and honors

The following awards and honors have been given to Dillard during his time in the Illinois Senate:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Edgar</span> Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999

James Edgar is an American politician who served as the 38th governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999. A moderate Republican, Edgar previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1976 to 1979 and as the 35th Secretary of State of Illinois from 1981 to 1991.

Steve Rauschenberger is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate from 1993 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Brady (politician)</span> American politician

William E. Brady is an American politician who was a Republican member of the Illinois Senate from May 2002 until his resignation in December 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwame Raoul</span> American politician

Kwame Raoul is an American lawyer and politician who has been the 42nd Attorney General of Illinois since 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexi Giannoulias</span> American lawyer (born 1976)

Alexander Giannoulias is an American financier and politician who is the Secretary of State of Illinois. He previously served as the 72nd Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 United States Senate election in Illinois</span>

The 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald decided to retire after one term. The Democratic and Republican primary elections were held in March, which included a total of 15 candidates who combined to spend a record total of over $60 million seeking the open seat.

Chapin Rose is a Republican member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 51st district since January 2013. The 51st district includes all or parts of McLean, DeWitt, Macon, Piatt, Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Champaign, Vermillion, and Edgar counties in Central Illinois.

John Otto Roeser was an American engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, businessman, civic leader and candidate for elected office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Senate career of Barack Obama</span> Overview of Barack Obamas career in the Illinois Senate

Barack Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004, when he was elected to the United States Senate. During this part of his career, Obama continued teaching constitutional law part time at the University of Chicago Law School as he had done as a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois</span>

The 2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois took place on November 2, 2010. There were two ballot items for the same seat: a general election, to fill the Class 3 seat beginning with the 112th United States Congress beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special election, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the 111th Congress. Roland Burris, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created by fellow Democrat Barack Obama's election to the presidency, did not run in either election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Illinois gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Illinois, concurrently with the election to Illinois's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Rauner</span> Governor of Illinois from 2015 to 2019

Bruce Vincent Rauner is an American businessman, philanthropist, and politician who served as the 42nd governor of Illinois from 2015 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the chairman of R8 Capital Partners and chairman of the Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in Illinois</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Illinois, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the 18 U.S. representatives from the state of Illinois, one from each of the state's 18 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Illinois gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Illinois, concurrently with the 2018 Illinois general election and other midterm elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner ran for re-election to a second term in office, but was defeated by Democratic nominee J. B. Pritzker. This was one of eight Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Illinois</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Illinois, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections and the Illinois Fair Tax. Incumbent Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who had been Senate Minority Whip since 2015, won reelection to a fifth term in office, defeating Republican nominee Mark Curran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Illinois Attorney General election</span>

The 2018 Illinois Attorney General election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the Attorney General of Illinois. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who had served since 2003, did not seek re-election to a fifth term. Democrat Kwame Raoul won the election with 55 percent of the vote, while Republican Erika Harold took 43 percent of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Gidwitz</span> American business executive and ambassador (born 1945)

Ronald J. Gidwitz is an American businessman, diplomat, and political candidate who served as United States Ambassador to Belgium, while also serving as acting United States Ambassador to the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Illinois gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Illinois, concurrently with the 2022 Illinois general election. Gubernatorial candidates ran on tickets with candidates for lieutenant governor. The incumbent governor and lieutenant governor, first-term Democrats J. B. Pritzker and Juliana Stratton, sought re-election together against Republican nominees Illinois State Senator Darren Bailey and his running mate Stephanie Trussell.

James R. Reilly was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kirk Dillard to be New RTA Chairman". WTTW . July 1, 2014.
  2. "Kirk Dillard resigns as state senator". ABC7 Chicago . August 4, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Edgar, Jim. "Judiciary". Illinois Blue Book 1989-1990. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 194. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  4. "Hall of Fame". HCHS Foundation. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008.
  5. Lechowicz, Ted (June 23, 1987). "Re: Governor's Message of April 1, 1987" (PDF). p. 19. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  6. Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "Court of Claims expanded; three appointed". Illinois Issues. 13 (6): 29. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  7. Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "Names: Boards and Commissions". Illinois Issues. 15 (5): 35. ISSN   0738-9663. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022.
  8. Kelly, Richard F. (June 26, 1989). "Re: Governor's Message of April 13, 1989" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 86 (55). Illinois Senate: 9. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  9. Mehler, Neil H. (December 11, 1993). "Ex-Edgar Aide Named to Senate Seat". Chicago Tribune .
  10. "IL State Senate 41-Appt Race". Our Campaigns. December 10, 1993.
  11. Shipley, Deborah (Secretary of the Senate). "Election of the Senate President" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 95 (1). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Senate: 6–7. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  12. "State Chairs". American Legislative Exchange Council .
  13. "Topic Galleries". Chicago Tribune . June 27, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. "New School Laws 2003". Illinois Association of School Boards. January 2003. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006.
  15. Wojcicki, Ed (September 2006). "Still the Wild West? A 10-Year Look at Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois" (PDF). Carbondale: Southern Illinois University.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. Dillard, Kirk (July 31, 2014). "Resignation" (PDF). Letter to Tim Anderson, Secretary of the Illinois Senate. Illinois Senate . Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  17. White, Jesse (August 6, 2014). "Notice of Vacancy from Legislative Committee" (PDF). Letter to Tim Anderson, Secretary of the Illinois Senate. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  18. "Kirk Dillard Launches Campaign For Governor". CBS2 Chicago . July 8, 2009. Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  19. "Dillard to announce run for Ill. governor". KWQC .[ permanent dead link ]
  20. "Dillard announces his candidacy for governor". Archived from the original on July 13, 2009.
  21. Kraushaar, Josh (January 26, 2010). "Attacking Obama in Illinois". Politico . Archived from the original on February 1, 2010.
  22. Zorn, Eric (January 27, 2010). "Shame on Kirk Dillard for showing even a hint of bi-partisanship!". Change of Subject. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010.
  23. Fund, John (March 11, 2010). "With Friends Like These..." The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on March 14, 2016.(subscription required)
  24. 1 2 "Dillard gets NRA/ISRA endorsements".[ permanent dead link ]
  25. Ritterbusch, Mark (January 23, 2010). "IEA recommends Hynes, Dillard for governor". Illinois Education Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
  26. "Kirk Dillard Endorsements" (PDF). Dillard for Governor. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2010.
  27. "Kirk Dillard gets formal endorsement from Jim Edgar". 18 October 2022.[ permanent dead link ]
  28. "Endorsement: State Sen. Dillard is best choice in strong GOP field". Rockford Register Star . January 27, 2010. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  29. Orichuia, Nicola (October 12, 2009). "Former Gov. Jim Edgar Endorses Kirk Dillard". NBC Chicago .
  30. Bond, Brendan (February 17, 2014). "Dillard to Receive Much-Needed Major Endorsement Today". Reboot Illinois. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  31. "State's largest public workers union backs Dillard". The Pantagraph. Associated Press. March 5, 2014. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  32. Miller, Rich (February 23, 2014). "Poll: Rauner Has Big Lead In Dillard's Senate District". Reboot Illinois. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  33. Wronski, Richard (June 25, 2014). "Dillard elected RTA chairman". Chicago Tribune .
  34. Pritzker, JB (April 12, 2023). "Appointment Message 103-0162". Letter to Illinois Senate. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  35. "Chase the Guy With the Ball". The New York Times . July 21, 2004.
  36. Adler, Ben (July 18, 2008). "Barack Obama's accidental surrogate". Politico .
  37. "Hall Of Fame 2001 Inductee Kirk W. Dillard". HCHS Foundation. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
Illinois General Assembly
Kirk Dillard
Dillard Kirk hi-res.jpg
Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors
Assumed office
2014