Will County Gazette

Mickey Straub has a vision of once again making Illinois a destination state. 

“We’ve spent too many years and too much time chasing people and businesses out of state,” Straub, the Republican mayor of Burr Ridge running against House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) in the 82nd District, told the Will County Gazette. “It’s time for things that can make a difference in this state, like tax and tort reform.”

Straub said his candidacy is all about reviving hope for the people of his community by following the will of the masses.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R) Sponsored HB House Bill 3259 To Fund Domestic Violence Shelters

“We need to practice what we preach when it comes to the way we govern,” he said. “Durkin has done some things that are not consistent with conservative values and principles, like voting for transgender birth certificates and voting against conceal and carry. So, he’s not real friendly on pro-families and he’s antiguns.”

Straub said one way of curbing what he sees as all the dysfunction may lie in imposing term limits for all politicians.

“That’s important to avoid things like complacency in state government,” he said. “Even a lot of companies require change after so long. These politicians work themselves into certain positions where they can make a lot of money and that’s what motivates them. They see no reason to change anything or work on behalf of their constituents any longer.”

Straub, now in his second term as mayor of Burr Ridge, hints he sees that as being the case with Durkin.

“He’s a lawmaker working for his law firm, and not the people of the state,” he said. "Term limits have to happen, and we have to get Illinois back to being a destination state. I think the two go hand and hand.”

The 82nd District covers parts of Cook, DuPage and Will counties, including Darien, Homer Glen, Lemont and Willowbrook.