DuPage Co.'s Schillerstrom set for run for governor

DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom is planning to enter the race for governor, adding to a growing list of Republicans hoping to take the state back from Democratic rule.

Schillerstrom told the Daily Herald Tuesday he has been considering a run and plans to make a related announcement in the coming weeks. A source close to the campaign said the Naperville Republican has personally decided to make a bid and has no intention of turning back.

"He is committed and moving forward," the source said.

Schillerstrom would enter a GOP primary that now includes state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and former Illinois Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Whitley.

The 10-year county chairman dominates the money race among the three with more than $600,000 in the bank compared to $331,279 for Brady and $81,588 for Whitley at the end of 2008, the latest available records.

Yet, his foray into a statewide campaign may butt heads with DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, who has floated his name for governor or attorney general.

Birkett and Schillerstrom share a similar base of support in the suburbs, which are crucial for Republicans to win in order to take statewide offices. Birkett said Wednesday that he was not concerned about splitting the suburban vote with Schillerstrom if he decides to run for governor.

"I'm not concerned about Bob or anyone else," Birkett said. "I can be competitive against anyone in this state."

Birkett said he has hired campaign staff and he has been traveling the state.

"I am focused on the office of governor," he said, but added that he has not yet come to a final decision.

Birkett previously won two statewide GOP primaries, one for attorney general in 2002 and the other for lieutenant governor in 2006. He lost both general elections.

Schillerstrom's run for governor would require him to give up his seat on the DuPage County Board, which is up for election at the same time. The primary is set for February.

Meanwhile, Schillerstrom's chances are far from clear. He has experienced diminishing political influence in recent years, having lost both authority and seats on the county board. Additionally, he faced harsh criticism from GOP officials for supporting a half-cent sales tax increase to fund mass transit expansion and public works projects.

On Thursday Schillerstrom held a forum to let voters speak out against Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's income tax increase proposal. If he were governor, Schillerstrom said, he would opt for tough cuts, even in education and health care, before raising taxes during a recession.

"There are a lot of people struggling, and some of them are very close to the tipping point," Schillerstrom says.

As for running for governor, he says, "I am exploring future options and sometime in the near future I will be making an announcement."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=286831">DuPage Co.'s Schillerstrom set for run for governor</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=286949">Congressman Mark Kirk says he may run for governor</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>