Cronin, others eye DuPage County chairman's post

Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin is eyeing DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom's seat, and he's not alone.

Since Schillerstrom announced he may seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, Cronin's name has been bandied about as a possible heir apparent. Cronin is also the county GOP chairman.

"There is potential in that job to do good," Cronin said. "There is a chance there to change the face of Republican leadership and presentation of county leadership."

But beside Cronin, no fewer than six of the 15 Republican county board members also say they're interested in the job.

"It appears that Bob is seriously and actively pursuing a statewide office, so naturally people are going to explore their options," said board member Brien Sheahan. "It is one of the things I'm actively pursuing."

Many potential Republican candidates are waiting for Schillerstrom to officially declare his intentions before delving too deeply into the waters of the chairman's race.

"Right now I'm not ready to say I'm jumping in, but it is something I'm considering," said Pat O'Shea, the longest-serving member of the county board. "But I wouldn't run against Bob."

In addition to O'Shea and Sheahan, board members JR McBride, Debra Olson, Jim Zay and Paul Fichtner said they have had discussions about replacing Schillerstrom. Olson is one of the few who said she may run even if Schillerstrom abandons his gubernatorial plans and seeks re-election in DuPage.

"I'm keeping all my options open," she said. "I just had a very successful fundraiser and talked to a number of people that I believe it would be important to have on board, and, in fact, a number of important people to have on board have been talking to me. I'm absolutely interested."

McBride said Olson is the only person who would keep him out of the race.

"Deb would be the best person for the job," he said. "If Deb doesn't run, I'd be very interested."

Fichtner believes that all 18 board members have their sights set on Schillerstrom's post if he doesn't seek re-election. He said he'd be more apt to run only if Schillerstrom didn't.

"It's been my practice in the past to run for open seats," he said. "I keep an open mind when it comes to open seats."

Zay said he's been approached about running and wouldn't be scared off a campaign for the job by any of his colleagues on the board. However, he said he'd have to talk with Cronin before deciding whether to run for the chairman's job against him.

"I'd want to sit and talk to him about what his goals are for the county," he said. "The party needs to come together. It doesn't need a long and ugly primary."

Cronin sat in on a county board meeting recently. He said the county needs a new perspective.

"In a nutshell, there's a need for reform there," he said. "That's no reflection of Bob, that's just the way things are. People work together for a while and over time opinions and positions get calcified."

Cronin said Schillerstrom's decision wouldn't be his only deciding factor, though. He said he had plenty of time to decide whether to seek the office and had no immediate plans to make any campaign announcements.

"I feel a real sense of duty right here in Springfield," he said. "I feel my role in the legislature is probably more important than ever because things are so corrupt and dysfunctional."

Burr Ridge Village President Gary Grasso's name was also tossed about by county Republican leaders, but that's news to Grasso.

"I guess I would seriously look at it," he said. "If Republican leaders want to consider me I'd certainly discuss it with them."