Downers Grove mayor takes Senate seat

SPRINGFIELD -- Downers Grove Mayor Ron Sandack began serving in the Illinois Senate Tuesday, weeks after being appointed to replace incoming DuPage County Board chair Dan Cronin.

Sandack, a Republican, was greeted on the Senate floor and attended committees Tuesday, saying he was “grateful” for the opportunity.

“Obviously, I'm going to sit, learn and listen,” he said from the Senate floor.

He was introduced by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, who noted that it's a busy week for Sandack to start.

“Obviously, there's a lot of excitement going on,” she said.

Sandack was appointed by county officials to fill the seat and will serve the remaining two years of Cronin's term. He remains mayor of Downers Grove.

Sandack has been mayor since 2007 and was a village commissioner before that.

He said he wants to learn as much as he can about the Senate.

“I'm trying to meet as many people as I can, keep my head down,” he said.

Sandack's first vote in the General Assembly came in a Senate committee, where he was a “no” vote on civil unions for same-sex couples.