Collins may endorse in 10th District
A Winnetka attorney eyeing a run for Congress as a Republican may be the first to land a coveted endorsement from the prosecutor who put GOP Gov. George Ryan in prison.
Bill Cadigan, who was raised in Arlington Heights and once worked for U.S. Rep. John Porter, is a longtime friend of Patrick Collins, the federal prosecutor who led the Ryan trial and went on to become a statewide ethics advocate.
Cadigan told the Daily Herald Friday he is thinking of jumping in the GOP primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in the North suburban 10th District.
"I'm out there organizing and exploring and getting a great response," he said. "I know the landscape, and I think I could put together a campaign."
The race is expected to be brutal, especially when it comes to the General Election. That is why Collins' backing will be key.
Collins has never endorsed in a political race and has himself begged off pressure to run for office. But when it comes to Cadigan, Collins said he will be at his side to vouch for his integrity.
"If he throws his hat in the ring, he is someone who I think will be a great candidate," Collins said. "I think he would be good on the issues that are important to me, such as ethics."
Most recently, Collins headed up Gov. Pat Quinn's reform commission following Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest and ouster that led to a number of contracting and campaign finance changes.
Collins even butted heads with Quinn when the governor backed a watered-down version of campaign finance limits the former federal prosecutor wouldn't support. Collins is now in private practice.
Cadigan is a private health care attorney and was a legislative aide to Porter in his early 20s. He is critical of President Barack Obama's spending and economic stimulus plans, but he supports abortion rights.
Also considering a run on the Republican side is Mount Prospect resident Patricia Bird.
On the Democratic side, state Sen. Michael Bond of Grayslake dropped out of the race Friday.
Candidates now include state Rep. Julie Hamos of Evanston, three-peat contender Dan Seals of Wilmette and Elliot Richardson of Highland Park.
Highland Park City Council member Jim Kirsch and state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, among others, are also considering a bid on the Democratic side.