* Dan Cronin spent almost two decades in the General Assembly before becoming county board chairman. But he’s ready to stop for a while…
DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin will step aside next year rather than seek a fourth term, but the Republican stalwart won’t rule out running for another elected office. […]
Cronin said he’s been encouraged by supporters to consider a bid for statewide office, “any office at the state or federal level.” But Cronin said it’s “highly unlikely” he’d run for governor.
“I still plan to be very much involved,” Cronin said. “I’m going to sit this election cycle out, though.” […]
He says he wants to serve on nonprofit boards and he wants to stay politically engaged, and he can still use his influence and campaign war chest to help elect like-minded candidates.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 6:49 am:
This got my attention.
An old, white, DuPage, male walking away from running county-wide as a Republican or anything… today.
The days of “Lee, Pate, and Hyde’s DuPage” are indeed over.
It’s time the alleged GOP either evolve… or die.
- Not a Superstar - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 7:10 am:
Spot on, OW. Does ILGOP want to go the way of their California counterparts? Because those folks aren’t doing so well.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 7:20 am:
- Not a Superstar -
I appreciate your thoughts to my comment.
What 2022 will mean to the ILGOP, the Republican Party of Illinois…
… will the ILGOP finally, almost fatally, be the old, angry, white, rural/regional party that can NOT win statewide… can NOT win outside where the cult-like intra-party regional wins… shrinking the ability to appeal to thoughtful voters… *in* a primary… where nominees can’t win general elections.
Since 2015… it’s been what I’ve been trying to first warn, and *now* highlight.
Cronin’s walking away… it’s so much bigger than a pol who has served for decades deciding it’s time to walk. It’s a canary in the coal mine… that has been dead 2017, but was already sick in 2015… and the party has yet to address the illness.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 8:34 am:
Lee, Pate, Hyde, Jim Ryan, Pierotti, all from Addison Township what a great township. A few years ago I would have been happy to see Cronin go. Now not so much. Who is on the bench? Ives? Wherly? Ever since Allen Keyes I have wanted party to crash and start over figuring it could not get crazier, I was wrong
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 8:54 am:
===Who is on the bench?===
Good question, but maybe the better perspective is that, yeah, Ives, Wehrli, they are “there”… but can they win in a county that is turning, not purple, but blue.
The alleged GOP party as abdicated winning to the cult and the fantasy of purity wins.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 8:56 am:
A 61 year old man is a babe in the woods in Illinois politics
Seen the National poll numbers lately?
The death of the Republican Party has been greatly exaggerated and the dysfunction of elected Democrats is on full display
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:16 am:
When the foundations of your party no longer see their place there, do you really have a party?
- Annon3 - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:18 am:
Over 60 years old and 35 plus years of public service he may just be ready for a change. It may be more to do with him then the ILGOP/DuPage Co. Hope he enjoys his family and what/where his next chapter takes him.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:20 am:
===It may be more to do with him then the ILGOP/DuPage Co.===
Hmm. Cronin…
===“I still plan to be very much involved,” Cronin said. “I’m going to sit this election cycle out, though.”===
Sounds like if he felt he could win this cycle, he’d run.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:24 am:
I guess one thing is I just don’t understand what happened to the GOP in IL. When I was in college the suburbs (esp Dupage) and downstate formed a coalition for the GOP and that alliance worked for them.
Then piece by piece that coalition fell apart and the rural parts of the state (not even downstate if one thinks about Champaign and St. Clair) started to falter. Judy I think might have been the last piece of that.
But why? Had resentments built up in the coalition? Had a subject arisen that neatly divided the two parts? Has anyone written a book about this?
- Blue Dog - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:29 am:
…because these folks aren’t doing so well. Do you mean the citizens of California? Or citizens of Illinois?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:32 am:
===But why? Had resentments built up in the coalition?===
In a recent example, Rauner made the geographical division not only a “thing”, an animosity, Rauner would say one thing upstate, another downstate, and reinforced regional angst more than party unity.
I mean, it seemed anyone “north” was part of a She-Caw-Go bad that Rauner would fan.
- Homebody - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:35 am:
@OW: It isn’t just the ILGOP, and it definitely started much earlier than 2015. This was always going to be the outcome by expressly tying themselves to the evangelicals and southern strategy racists. It was just a matter of time.
Unsurprisingly, it accelerated when the black guy got elected president, but once party leaders lost the reins of the tiger they were riding in the mid-2015s, I agree it became completely out of control.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:39 am:
===A 61 year old man is a babe in the woods in Illinois politics===
Madigan and Cullerton are gone and Jesse White is retiring. All four of the legislative leaders are younger than 61. All statewide officers except SoS are, too.
You really need to update your programming.
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:42 am:
Cronin knows he is unlikely to win if he were to run for re-election. The composition of the county board is now 11 D and 7 R. While the chair is elected separately (i.e., not selected from among the board members), the trend is against him.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:43 am:
=Seen the National poll numbers lately?
The death of the Republican Party has been greatly exaggerated and the dysfunction of elected Democrats is on full display=
Name one republican state-wide elected official in Illinois.
How are the numbers for GOP Illinois US House of Representatives looking? US Senate?
Thanks for playing.
- Roman - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:44 am:
== go the way of their California counterparts ==
Good point. Lots of parallels between DuPage and Orange County, California. Not long ago, they were the largest and most reliable producers of GOP votes in the country. Not anymore. If the Republicans can’t compete in those counties they’re relegated to a permanent super-minority status in both states.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:45 am:
===The death of the Republican Party has been greatly exaggerated and the dysfunction of elected Democrats is on full display===
73, 41, all the statewide offices… all 8… 13 CongressCritters
The ILGOP *will lose* one more congressional seat by the map… there’s no declared candidates for AG, SoS (declared, meaning actually running) Treasurer, Comptroller… even the US Senate candidate(s) strike no fear to winning
I dunno what you’re actually looking at as the “strength” here in Illinois…
Durkin can’t even get to 50 seats, McConchie is still below 20 seats…
That’s not exaggeration. That’s reality.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:47 am:
No one is a citizen of a state, genius.
You’re a resident of a state. Now go take down the “Don’t Tread on Me Flag” flying from your pick up.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:49 am:
=== It isn’t just the ILGOP===
My comment was specific to Cronin, Illinois, and the ILGOP.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the flipping of Dems in Congress to Republicans, even as Republicans helped pass the Act over these Dems… it’s been obvious starting since “1968 Nixon”
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 9:55 am:
@cermak_rd: The national GOP being taken over by Southern anti-union fundamentalist conservatives destroyed the IL GOP.
For example, this state has not elected an anti-choice governor since Roe v. Wade was decided. Illinois has elected 4 GOP governors since then and every one was pro-choice.
Unless you are a Rauner-type who can buy the IL GOP, you need to take positions to win the GOP primary electorate that is plugged into the Fox News national political scene.
Winning these types requires you to make yourself unelectable not just in Cook County but to the college-educated, diverse electorate in the Chicago suburbs, Metro East, Champaign-Urbana and now even Bloomington-Normal. Pile that on top of lingering Dem union votes in this state and that’s a wrap.
- Scott Cross for President - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 10:08 am:
From the DH article:
“Cronin’s departure and redistricting — all 18 county board seats will be up for election in 2022 — continue to shake up the political landscape in DuPage, once a conservative bedrock. Democrats last year cemented their party’s first board majority since the Great Depression.”
DuPage Dave @ 9:42A +1
Cronin’s Board is 11D and 7R - with the GOP map. New boundaries mean even more new opportunities.
Cronin is smart to leave with a winning record and money in the bank.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 10:09 am:
===I’m going to sit this election cycle out, though.===
Give Cronin props for being the one guy in the GOP who has awareness of reality and the current political environment.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 10:10 am:
The DuPage Democrats, after gaining control of the Board by an 11-7 margin, are poised to also pick up the chair.
Cynthia Borbas has done a stellar job getting them to this point.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 10:53 am:
As a resident of DuPage, I’m hoping that the Dems coalesce around a single qualified candidate that can move things forward.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 10:54 am:
My programming tells these Illinois politicians older than 61 sure look like they have a lot of life left in them.
Danny Davis 80
Dick Durbin 76
Bobby Rush 74
Jan Schakowsky 77
Chuy Garcia 65
Bill Foster 65
Mike Quigley 62
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 11:18 am:
=== My programming tells===
… that imbecile ageism is a real reason Dems win.
I mean, if all you got is ageism, supporting racist thinkers, not condemning insurrectionists, promoting conspiracy theorists…
… how can you not find a way to show how to win campaigns?
You have nothing.
- phocion - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 11:22 am:
==You have nothing.==
And other than your incessant mantra of calling every Republican a racist, what have you got?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 11:33 am:
===calling every Republican a racist===
Aw, you’re upset you support racist thinkers and I don’t support them? That upsets you?
===supporting racist thinkers===
There are remedial reading things on the internet if it embarrasses you that your reading comprehension is so low, but, maybe look into them.
- Voting2022 - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 11:55 am:
If Cronin does run for office, what is going to be for? SOS? He barely won in a county he’s represented for 30 years in 2018. How will he win statewide if he ran? Does he appeal to Trumper base downstate?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:00 pm:
===what is going to be for? SOS?===
“I’m going to sit this election cycle out”
- Suburbanon - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:00 pm:
Cronin is making a wise choice given the changing demographics. But I’ll miss him. He ran an efficient good government operation that was focused on providing high quality county services within a tight budget. The next GOP candidate will likely come from the Ives wingnut brigade - good luck with that. Hopefully the Dems will have the good sense to field a candidate who smart enough not to veer too far away from the center.
- Oldtimer - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
I’m so old that I remember Cronin as a young outsider who knocked off long serving State Rep Gene Hoffman in a primary, not exactly endearing himself to Lee Daniels.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
It is past time for any and all fundamental Republicans to speak out and condemn what has gone on for the past 5 years. If you don’t - you care less about your party than I do, and I’m a democrat.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:16 pm:
=== Cronin as a young outsider who knocked off long serving State Rep===
That indeed goes back a ways. Moved to the Senate… seems like eons ago
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:28 pm:
=== Seen the National poll numbers lately? ===
Seen the Illinois Vaccination Rates Lately?
I believe every Collar County has over 75% of adults fully vaccinated. A majority of Democrats and Independents support the vaccine mandate.
Republicans will do well in rural Illinois, but in the counties where the vast majority of Illinois lives, their brand is toast.
- XMayor - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 12:49 pm:
I share a different respective on DuPage and the trend on the County Board. Some will no doubt disagree with me but I believe most DuPage voters are intelligent and did not want to vote for any candidate who directly or indirectly supported what Trump stood for
- TNR - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:03 pm:
== Republicans will do well in rural Illinois, but in the counties where the vast majority of Illinois lives, their brand is toast.==
Yep. In Illinois’ political realignment, the Republicans have given up DuPage (1 million residents) in order to win a handful of counties like Saline, which has less than half the population of a single Chicago ward. That’s a real math problem.
- 2nd Ward GOP - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
Republican member DiCianni has already indicated he’s running to replace Cronin. He’s got the money and the connections to do it. Italian-American centrist of sorts. I look forward to having someone with a little personality and guts as chairman as opposed to stuffed shirt Cronin.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:05 pm:
=== I look forward to having someone with a little personality===
Define… personality.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:08 pm:
=== That’s a real math problem.===
Purity and a clinging to monolithic needs… can’t win diverse counties, and as DuPage became diverse, the party retreated, led by DuPage’s own (ironically) Jeanne Ives.
- Wheaton - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
=I look forward to having someone with a little personality and guts as chairman as opposed to stuffed shirt Cronin=
Is this what you mean by personality and guts:
“”Go stick you(r) vote in your __! I stood up for my cops today.”
https://www.shawlocal.com/2020/06/30/dupage-county-board-members-call-for-censure-of-colleague-pete-dicianni-for-outrageous-behavior-at-protest/avwz012/
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:15 pm:
“Cynthia Borbas has done a stellar job getting them to this point.”
While Ms. Borbas has done a stellar job in and for DuPage, it’s worth noting that she only took the reigns two years ago.
– MrJM
- XMayor - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:16 pm:
Yes DiCianni would be a good candidate instead of the Cronin endorsed/appointed and funded Hart. We need someone to make decisions that are best for DuPage like DiCianni as opposed to a politician like Hart
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
This DiCianni?
Chicago Tribune;
===DuPage County Board member and former Elmhurst mayor Peter DiCianni resigned as chairman of the county’s Health and Human Services Committee after several hours of criticism of his behavior at a pro-police rally in Elmhurst and his vulgar response to an email.===
Sounds like a prince.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:50 pm:
DiCianni is as closely aligned with Trump behavior and beliefs as anyone. Read the article on his behavior and what resulted in his resignation from the Health And Human Services Committee. Run him - keep making terrible candidate choices and remain silent on acceptable and even deadly behavior.
- XMayor - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 1:53 pm:
With due respect ….Oswego Willy sound like someone that supports inside Republican appointed and anointed insiders. Yes CiCianni made a mistake and unlike most elected officials he owned up to it.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 2:15 pm:
=The death of the Republican Party has been greatly exaggerated and the dysfunction of elected Democrats is on full display=
And yet Dan Cronin decides “he’s going to sit this one out.” Either he’s in denial or you are. My money ain’t on Cronin.
- Wheaton - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
==With due respect ….Oswego Willy sound like someone that supports inside Republican appointed and anointed insiders==
With all due respect, Oswego is in Kendall County and not DuPage. I doubt Willy ever heard of DiCianni or his grudges against Cronin.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 2:58 pm:
As - Wheaton - and - XMayor - seemingly “mansplain” my comments…
DiCianni is seemingly a creepy Trumpkin who did NOT apologize for “backing the blue” and seemingly has a real problem dealing with constituents.
I’d also say neither knows if I could pick Cronin out of a lineup… or known or known of him since his lone term in the Illinois House.
Some might say they are gaslighting me, but… lol
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
- MisterJayEm -
===While Ms. Borbas has done a stellar job in and for DuPage, it’s worth noting that she only took the reigns two years ago.===
True, but Cynthia had been laying the infrastructure for several years and it took getting Bob Peickert out of the way for things to come to fruition.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 3:47 pm:
I live in DuPage, and know that Cronin does not support DiCianni. So all you Republican commenters supporting his candidacy should call Cronin before bothering to post here about what a great candidate he is. Your own party leader in the county doesn’t support him so good luck with that. DuPage is not Trump country… you ought to realize that by now.
- Right Field - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 3:59 pm:
Geez… it’s been common knowledge in DuPage that he intended to not run for Chairman again for quite some time. County Board Member Greg Hart is the heir apparent, even though others may run.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 4:00 pm:
===that he intended to not run for Chairman again===
Correct. The unanswered question was what he will do next.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 4:20 pm:
Hoffman was the better candidate by far than Cronin. Cronin always seem entitled DiCianni may have way too much personality for old line Republicans in DuPage.
- DuPage Too - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 4:50 pm:
A Republican primary between Hart and Dicianni will be nasty. The dislike Cronin and DiCianni have for each other is well known in DuPage County. If Mazzochi were to get in that would really make things interesting. If the D’s rally around one candidate the R’s tearing each other apart will ensure the next Chair is a D.
- Frank talks - Wednesday, Sep 15, 21 @ 5:07 pm:
The hard right wing of the DuPage party will come out and pull off a victory for whoever caters to them. That wing took almost 53% vs Rauner with Ives. Don’t say the moderates didn’t want Rauner, it’s obvious how bad the right wing is for the future and she still took Dupage.
Moderates don’t tend to do primary’s and unless Sullivan can be that candidate to rally the moderates to come out big, Bailey and Rabine will be pushing to get their hard right folks out. Who will bring out the middle ground GOP that DuPage always had to allow big wins?