Former W. Chicago lawmaker named to state Senate

A former state lawmaker from West Chicago has been selected to return to Springfield to finish Randy Hultgren's term in the Illinois Senate.

Tom Johnson was appointed to represent residents of the 48th District for the next two years by a committee comprising DuPage County Republican Chairman Dan Cronin and GOP chairmen from Kane and Will counties.

“I'm looking forward to it,” Johnson, 65, said Monday. “I will do the best I can to represent the people here in the 48th.”

Hultgren is resigning from his state Senate seat because of his ascension to Congress representing the 14th Congressional District.

Johnson is expected to be sworn in near Jan. 3. After serving the two years remaining on Hultgren's seat, he won't seek election.

Johnson, who lives in West Chicago, served in the Illinois House from 1993 to 2003. He said he believes that experience will help him in this new role.

“I have a number of good friends on both sides of the aisle in the Senate and House that I have worked with for many years,” he said. “But I've got a lot of catching up to do.”

He said he plans to focus on the fiscal and job issues facing the state.

“We've got some very difficult decisions to be making in the next couple years here before we fall totally off the cliff,” Johnson said, adding that pension and Medicaid reform are a priority.

“Reform is critical,” he said.

The former DuPage County prosecutor currently serves on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and is active in many local civic organizations.

Cronin met Saturday morning in Naperville with Kane County GOP Chairman Michael Kenyon and Will County GOP Chairman Richard Kavanagh to approve Johnson's appointment.

That decision was made after Cronin spoke to a number of party leaders and individuals, including Hultgren, about the appointment. While about 13 candidates applied, Cronin said Johnson's experience made him the best choice for the seat.

“The state of Illinois is in crisis,” Cronin said. “We've got a $15 billion deficit, and there's no easy answers. I think a seasoned veteran — a smart, tough, experienced guy — like Tom Johnson is the perfect person to fulfill this term of office. Tom Johnson will be down there fighting the good fight.”

The 48th state Senate District includes all or parts of Batavia, Geneva, North Aurora, Naperville, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.