Will County Gazette

Mickey Straub kicked off his 2018 run to unseat Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) in the 82nd District with a nostalgic vow to his constituents recently.

“Illinois is the heartbeat of the country,” Straub told the Will County Gazette after hosting more than 100 enthusiastic supporters at his first official campaign event. “My campaign is about returning us to those times by sending a principled conservative to Springfield that puts the people over self-preservation.”

Straub, the mayor of Burr Ridge, told the crowd that career politicians like Durkin and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) are largely responsible for the record-setting $36.1 state budget and accused Durkin of having a history of taking money from Democrats.

Mickey Straub meets Dan Hampton.

“Illinois deserves better,” Straub said. “We talked about how the state has a rich history, and we need to ensure that it’s future is just as rich.”

Straub said everyone in the crowd, which included former NFL Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bear Dan Hampton, was just as concerned about everything that’s going wrong in Burr Ridge.  

Straub’s platform includes cutting taxes and reducing spending with the goal of slowing out-migration and making Illinois a more business-friendly destination.

“These are the pressing issues that will keep more families and businesses here at home in Illinois,” Straub said.

Straub pointed to the support and energy he felt in the room as proof-positive that Illinois is on the wrong track and people are desperate for change.

“The Republican Party has lost its way and we need new leadership in Springfield,” he said. “You can’t continue doing the same things in Springfield and expecting different results. We need a new direction.”

Straub resides in Burr Ridge with his wife and children. He is also president of Sales Activity Management, a faith-based performance measurement company in Burr Ridge.

Known as “Mayor Mickey,” Straub is in his second term as mayor.

The 82nd District includes Burr Ridge, Western Springs and Lemont.