DuPage County board chief eyes run for governor

DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom dipped his feet further into the 2010 gubernatorial campaign waters Wednesday by announcing the formation of an exploratory committee for the post.

The Daily Herald was the first to report on Schillerstrom's aspirations last month.

The longtime DuPage GOP leader said the new committee is just a step in the process of making a run at the governor's office.

"One of the things I want to do is listen to the people of Illinois, and I obviously think I have a pretty good handle on things," he said.

Schillerstrom was in Chicago on Wednesday, but is planning trips to the western part of the state and downstate while making appearances in the suburbs as well.

"I firmly believe for a Republican candidate to prevail in any state race you have to prevail in the suburbs," he said, "but Illinois is a diverse state."

The Republican gubernatorial primary in February could be crowded as state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and former Illinois Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Whitley have announced plans to run. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk has also hinted at a run as well as DuPage State's Attorney Joe Birkett. Schillerstrom's $600,000-plus campaign war chest is one of the largest in the race, nearly double Brady's.

Birkett's name has also been floated in the attorney general's race. He said Wednesday that Schillerstrom's announcement has no impact on his plans to campaign, but he expects to make a decision by the end of June, if not sooner. Birkett believes he has more appeal across the state than Schillerstrom.

"I haven't seen him anywhere in the state other than DuPage and Cook," Birkett said. "I'm the top Republican vote-getter in the state of Illinois for the past 10 years. I get more votes per dollar than any candidate and that's a fact. And the reason for that is I have strong record and strong roots here in Illinois."

Schillerstrom doesn't believe having two DuPage County heavyweights on the ballot simultaneously will hurt either candidate.

"I think when you look at my background and my skills and you look at his we're two different, distinct people who happen to come from DuPage County," Schillerstrom said. "Obviously I've had a lot of dealings with Joe over the years and respect the job that Joe has done."

Schillerstrom has set up a Web site at bobforillinois.com and created a Facebook profile for supporters as well. He said his campaign platform is making state government more efficient and accountable while mending the state's economic woes. He is attacking Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed 50 percent state income tax hike along with increases to other fees.

Meanwhile, Schillerstrom's foes within his own party complain about his support of a recent half-cent sales tax hike that helped fund mass transit expansion and public works projects.

Schillerstrom said he'd make a final decision about running for governor by midsummer.