Zion resident to seek Republican nomination in 61st House District

A personal banker and school board member has become the first declared candidate for the 61st House seat held by Rep. JoAnn Osmond, who is not seeking re-election.

Zion resident Tom Handyside, 24, a member of the Zion-Benton Township High School board and a trustee of the Zion police pension fund board, is seeking the Republican nomination in the March 18 primary.

He said the district’s loss of jobs to Wisconsin and skyrocketing property taxes, along with pension reform, are among his concerns.

He said his experience in business and on the school and police pension boards makes him “uniquely qualified” to run for the office.

“But it’s my experience and understanding of how the current economic environment impacts all businesses, small and mid-sized and of course families, that makes me the candidate of the people,” he said in a statement.

He said he studied for three years at Western Illinois University but was unable to complete the fourth year “due to lack of ability to maintain funding.” He said he is still pursuing degrees in finance and political science.

He was elected to the school board in April 2011.

Handyside said he became interested in politics after Osmond spoke to one of his high school classes. He said he saw an opportunity to help the district when she decided not to run.

“I think I can add with my experience, quite a lot to the position,” he said. “I saw the need and think I’m capable and competent.”

Osmond has held the position since December 2002, when she was appointed to replace her late husband, Tim Osmond. The 61st District covers all of Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Newport Township, Wadsworth and Old Mill Creek as well as part of Gurnee, Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.