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Nathan Reitz sworn in to replace former Rep. Jerry Costello

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* Reitz is the son of former Rep. Dan Reitz…

Following his swearing in to the Illinois House of Representative, new state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steelville, released the following statement:

“As a lifelong Southern Illinoisan, I know that our community deserves a representative who will continue fighting every day for Southern Illinois and our values. Having spent my career in the energy industry, I am determined to help grow our local economy and making the decisions that help create new jobs. As state representative, I will fight every day to protect our Second Amendment rights, provide tax relief and responsible budget making, and make sure that Southern Illinois always has a strong voice in Springfield. There is a lot to accomplish, and I look forward to working together with my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to make Southern Illinois and our state a better place to live and work in.”

I’m told he’ll be running in next year’s election. No word yet where he is on a graduated income tax (Costello was opposed), cannabis legalization or the other major issues the governor is pushing right now.

…Adding… Press release…

Statement from Ideas Illinois Chairman Greg Baise on appointment of Nathan Reitz as state representative:

“Nathan Reitz’s first big decision as a new representative will be to decide whether he stands with middle class families in his district by opposing the unfair Jobs Tax or be just another Springfield politician bought and paid for by JB Pritzker and Speaker Madigan.”

Background:

Former State Representative Jerry Costello was on record opposing the unfair Jobs Tax.

President Trump carried the 116th District with 66% of the vote in 2016.

…Adding… ILGOP…

“The fix is in. One of the last votes Nathan Reitz’s father, former State Rep. Dan Reitz, took was Mike Madigan’s 2011 tax hike. Now, Pritzker and Madigan want one of the first votes of Nathan Reitz to be yet another tax hike on Illinois families and small businesses. Tax-hiking is the Reitz family business. Reitz must follow Jerry Costello’s lead and oppose the Pritzker-Madigan-backed graduated income tax. If Reitz supports the tax hike, voters and taxpayers will make Reitz’s tenure in the General Assembly a short one.” - Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:22 pm

Comments

“I will fight every day to protect our Second Amendment rights”

Glad he’s got his priorities straight

Comment by Anon E Moose Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:35 pm
Hope he enjoys his year and a half before getting lit up

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:39 pm
When state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-118th) stepped down a few years ago he was replaced first cousin Natalie Phelps, daughter of former state Rep. and U.S. Rep David Phelps. When Dems needed a candidate in the neighboring 117th District they tapped Jason Woolard, son of former state Rep. and Sen. Larry Woolard. State Rep. Jerry Costello II is of course the son of former U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello I and now we have the son of former state Rep Reitz. You might be forgiven if you think the Democratic bench in Southern Illinois is not very deep.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:47 pm
LOL, it was just yesterday that the Randolph County Dem chair claimed in the BND not to know who even wanted the gig.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:48 pm
It’s nice to know that Blaise and Schneider can always be counted on to stand up for rich people.
Maybe that’s why the GOP has had such success in Illinois.

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:53 pm
After Schneider’s descent into irrelevance you’d think they’d lose the lame, weird bombast or try another tact at least.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 1:55 pm
There are 130,000 millionaires in Chicago, how many in the 116th District?

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 2:08 pm
–I’m told he’ll be running in next year’s election.–

He’ll need a lot of money to have a chance in that district.

I wonder where that could come from?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 2:11 pm
“The fix is in.” So when Rauner appointed Poe and then named his replacement that all hunky-dory?

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 2:14 pm
Now I know why I saw his Dad all over the capitol yesterday.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 2:16 pm
-Skeptic-
The GOP excels at character-assaults in these kinds of appointments. It’s like they have a whole staff of record-keepers who collect stuff about people whose characters they may wish to assassinate some day. Then, years later, they dredge it up and fling it, hoping it splatters all over their target.
It is what the GOP does best.

Comment by Medvale Skool for the Gifted Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 3:23 pm
I laugh every time Tim Schneider says someone else will lose re-election.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 3:32 pm
Costello has been the only reason the Dems have been able to hang on to that seat, and his margins were starting to get pretty thin. This should be a pick-up for the Republicans, but never underestimate the sheer incompetence of the ILGOP/HRO. See: the Monica Bristow seat in 2018.

Comment by Dave W Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 4:16 pm
Maybe I missed it, but I found little or no background on Mr. Rietz in any of the releases. Usually, experiences which are the foundation of his public service are detailed in such an appointment. (Education, career, non-profit work)

Is it telling that nothing is offered in that regard, other than his biological heritage?

Comment by Downstate Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 4:28 pm
Good that they reappointed someone to his seat. With all the “drastic changes needed” in the DNR law enforcement (what he’s been saying) he won’t be able to go back to his seat once he finds out that he is in the wrong business. But that’s ok. He also says it’s just a stepping stone to the director spot because “she’s not going to make it.” Off to a great start. I’m worried.

Comment by Fun To Watch Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 5:48 pm
Am out of town. But if Rich allows me, i will weigh in heavily next week.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, May 9, 19 @ 8:27 pm
Attacking a man because of how his father voted in 2011. Stay classy Tim Schneider.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, May 10, 19 @ 8:15 am