Sandack will run for Illinois House seat in 2012

State Sen. Ron Sandack will take a pass on a race for the state Senate and make a bid for the Illinois House in 2012, he announced Wednesday.

Sandack was appointed to serve in the Senate last year, but under the new legislative map for 2012, the Downers Grove Republican lives in the same district as Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno.

To avoid a primary clash with her, Sandack will instead run for a House seat in the 81st District.

Sandack was mayor of Downers Grove until earlier this year.

He said he has declined state health and pension benefits, saying the Illinois public retirement systems are “teetering on insolvency.”

Meanwhile, Naperville resident and former city council candidate Charlie Schneider announced Wednesday that he has formed an exploratory committee “to help consider my options to potentially serve the people as their state representative of the 81st District.”