State Rep. Tryon will not seek re-election in 2016

Republican State Rep. Mike Tryon of the 66th District announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election in 2016.

Having always believed in a 12-year term limit, Tryon said, he knew this would be his last term going into the 2012 election.

Additionally, at 61 years old, Tryon, of Crystal Lake, wants to spend more time with his family, he said.

"You look at your personal life and you realize there are things you want to do that are more important. I have some personal pursuits I would like to work on," Tryon said. "I've loved every minute of the last 28 years of serving the public as an elected official."

Tryon has held a House seat since 2005. Prior to his election in 2004, he had served as the McHenry County Board chairman since 1998.

Last month, East Dundee Trustee Allen Skillicorn announced he is exploring a run for the district seat. He said he believes the state's high property taxes and worker compensation costs are a reason to take action in Springfield.

Skillicorn is also the vice chair of the Kane County Republican Party.

Skillicorn did not comment on when he would announce his candidacy. Regarding the announcement that Tryon will not run for re-election, Skillicorn said he would share the news with his supporters and "decide where to go from there."

"(Tryon) has done some admirable things in office, and I respect the legacy he's had in the last few years," he said.

During his time as an elected official, Tryon said he focused on transportation congestion, pushing for the development of the Longmeadow Parkway toll road and the Algonquin Western Bypass project.

As a legislator, he was able to pass 59 bills. He also authorized legislation to create the Illinois Transparency Portal, an online database that allows taxpayers to see where their tax dollars are being spent.

"I got to do a lot of awesome things," he said.

For the next state representative, Tryon said, his biggest advice would be to put policy ahead of politics.

"It's policy that always wins," Tryon said. "Do what's right, and people will respect you for that."