Giuliani establishes Illinois campaign HQ in Lisle

Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani now calls Lisle home -- at least home to his Illinois campaign headquarters.

A six-person staff will man the office at 4723 Main St. full time through the duration of the Republican candidate's quest for the Oval Office.

Staffers opened the office Wednesday, and Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda said it's yet another feather in the village's cap.

"I'm excited that we have it here," Broda said. "It shows recognition that Lisle must be something special."

A picture of Broda and Giuliani hangs in the mayor's office at village hall. It was taken when Giuliani spoke at Benedictine University a couple of years ago.

Broda said his excitement has less to do with political affiliations as it does the honor that the former New York City mayor would think so much of the village that he would make it the state's campaign hub, he said.

Illinois is one of 11 states where the Giuliani camp has set up headquarters.

Giuliani staffers say he's the only Republican candidate strong enough to take the predominantly Democratic Illinois.

"There seems to be a lot o excitement for Mayor Giuliani in Illinois," spokesman Jarrod Agen said. "If there is a hometown candidate on the Democratic side, the only person who will have a chance against them in the general election is Rudy Giuliani."