Sheahan joins fray to replace Biggins

At least four Republicans are jockeying to replace outgoing state Rep. Bob Biggins.

DuPage County Board member Brien Sheahan of Elmhurst is the latest to throw his hat in the ring after Biggins announced he won't seek re-election to the 41st District seat he has held since 1992.

Biggins said his family is moving out of the district closer to Wheaton and this does not mark a retirement from politics.

Sheahan will duke it out with Elmhurst Alderman Chris Nybo, Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Illinois President Rafael Rivadeneira of Elmhurst and Thomas More Society of Chicago Executive Director Peter Breen of Lombard for the Republican nomination in the February 2010 primary. Breen officially will announce his candidacy today.

DuPage County Democratic Party officials said they expect to have a candidate to run against the Republican nominee, but have not identified anyone at this time.

Democratic Chairman Bob Peickert said the goal is to give voters an option at the polls in November 2010, but conceded the district favors GOP candidates.

"When you look at the numbers, this doesn't look as appealing as some of the other districts," he said. "But we want to have someone in the state races."

Sheahan previously hinted at a possible run for DuPage County Board chairman after current Chairman Bob Schillerstrom announced plans to run for governor. Sheahan said he opted to run for a post in the House because the seats are rarely up for grabs.

"My background combines the best of local government experience with a history in state government," he said. "I'm also general counsel for the state GOP, which has given me unique access to Republicans leaders around the state."

Sheahan was elected last year to his third term on the county board. He previously served in a variety of roles in the governor's office and lieutenant governor's office.

While both Republicans, Sheahan has often butted heads with Schillerstrom. He wouldn't speculate on what their relationship would be like if both are successful in their bids for jobs in Springfield.

"I certainly wish him the best in his endeavors," Sheahan said. "I'm going to focus on winning this House race and being an active and supportive member of the Republican caucus."

All the candidates praised Biggins, but said Springfield needs fresh faces.

"State government right now is an embarrassment and an outrage to all people in Illinois and particularly those in the 41st District," Nybo said. "State finances are in a very dire situation and if the last six months are any indication of where we're going, then I have no confidence and no faith the General Assembly."

Nybo believes ethics reform needs to be addressed and said if elected he'd also reform the state's pension programs, first by consolidating the administration of the pension funds under one "umbrella" organization to cut bureaucracy and redundant costs.

Breen said he is the race's true fiscal and social conservative voice. He said he timed the his campaign announcement to coincide with the enacting of the Illinois Parental Notification of Abortion Act, which he worked to defend.

"I have not been constructing a political career, but once I saw that Rep. Biggins may be retiring there would be a unique opportunity here," he said. "What differentiates me from other candidates is that I actually have a record on conservative issues. I'm not just saying I'm pro-life, but I actually assist women and families that are in need."

Rivadeneira wants to "sustain" the state's economic growth, educational systems and natural resources.

"I think Springfield has been managed in a short-term focused way," he said. "We have to get past this point of looking at what we can do in the short-term just to pay the bills and instead determine what we can do to be economically viable for the next 20 to 30 years."

The filing period for the February primary runs from Oct. 26 through Nov. 2.

The 41st District covers all or parts of Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace and Downers Grove in DuPage County as well as Westchester, Berkeley, LaGrange Park, North Riverside and Riverside in Cook County.