Chicago Tribune

By Monique Garcia

Two years ago, state Sen. Kirk Dillard came close to becoming the Republican nominee for governor. Now the veteran lawmaker from Hinsdale is fighting for his political life thanks to a primary challenge by Rep. Chris Nybo, of Elmhurst.

The contest is one of several bruising battles for Republicans unfolding across the suburbs after Democrats were in charge of redrawing legislative boundaries last year following the census. The fallout forced a number of GOP lawmakers to fight each other as a result of Democrats’ efforts to extend their control of the General Assembly for another 10 years.

In DuPage County, longtime Sen. Carole Pankau, of Itasca, is locked in a contentious race with Rep. Randy Ramey, of Carol Stream, the stepson of former Senate President James “Pate” Philip. Meanwhile, dairy owner Jim Oberweis is running for state Senate following failed bids for governor, Congress and U.S. Senate. In the Barrington area, a key ally of House Republican leader Tom Cross is trying to fend off a challenge from a former congressional candidate.

Here is a closer look at some of the more high-profile suburban races on Tuesday’s ballot:

23rd Senate District

The Pankau-Ramey primary campaign has been a scorched-earth affair in northeastern DuPage.

Ramey, who also is the county GOP chairman, has attempted to paint Pankau as a do-nothing lawmaker who has little to show for her time in office. Meanwhile, Pankau has used Ramey’s August DUI arrest to question his leadership, airing police video from the incident in campaign ads that suggest he sought special treatment.

Ramey, who pleaded guilty to drunken driving, denies that accusation and says he’s paying for his mistake, arguing that Pankau is playing dirty because she can’t run on her record.

“I’ve done more in six years than she has in 20,” said Ramey, whose powerful stepfather helped him get elected to the House.

Pankau contends the arrest is fair game, noting that in the arrest video, Ramey can be heard asking the officer if he knows who Ramey is. Ramey “made the bad decision that night, not only to drink and drive but to try to clout his way out of it,” she said.

The two are divided on how to reform the state’s costly pension system, with Pankau favoring a plan that would reduce benefits for current employees. Ramey argues that would be unconstitutional and says he is exploring other options to cut pension costs.

Pankau attributed Ramey’s opposition to the proposed pension changes to campaign contributions he’s received from teachers groups. Ramey dismissed that as “political rhetoric” and said he has the support of teachers because he listens to their concerns.

The race is being closely watched by Democrats who hope to wrest the district away from Republicans. The Democratic primary contenders include Villa Park President Tom Cullerton, a distant cousin of Senate President John Cullerton, Addison marketing executive Kevin Allen and Bartlett attorney Greg Brownfield.

Click here for the full report from the Chicago Tribune.

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