Schmitz will leave Illinois House
State Rep. Tim Schmitz, a Batavia Republican and 14-year veteran of the Illinois House, won’t run for re-election in 2014.
Schmitz made the announcement on Facebook this morning and referenced the death this summer of his father, longtime Batavia Alderman Tom Schmitz.
“As you may recall, my family and I recently lost a very close family member after a brief illness. After long talks with my family, we came to the decision that it’s the right time to leave,” Schmitz wrote.
”I cannot begin to thank everyone who has helped me over the years serving our district. There is no way I could have been a legislator without the strong support from my family and friends. I leave with mixed emotions as I will miss the challenges of the next General Assembly, but I feel the time is right to begin a new chapter in my professional life,” he wrote.
Schmitz started in the House in 1999 and rose up the Republican leadership ranks to become House Republican Leader Tom Cross’ deputy.
Earlier this year, Schmitz was talked about as a top successor to Cross, but he eventually left the race.