Gary Saake Enters Race for House District 42

The race for House District 42 Republican Primary is getting tighter with the entrance of Winfield businessman Gary Saake.

On Wednesday Saake, a member of the Community High School District 94 Board of Education, announced his candidacy for the seat.

Drawing on his business acumen, Saake said he knows what it takes to create jobs. If elected Saake said he will forward legislation that lowers taxes, helps create new and meaningful jobs and revitalize the Illinois economy. He said he is well aware of how punitive high taxes can be on attempts to create jobs by “choking” small businesses by hindering opportunities to grow.

In a released statement Saake called the state pension system an “albatross around the neck of Illinois taxpayers.” He said the legislature must pass meaningful pension reforms. He said the system is a drain on taxpayers and if he is elected he will opt out of the state’s pension plan for legislators. He challenged other Republican candidates in the primary to make the same pledge.

District 42 includes all of Winfield, and portions of West Chicago, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Lisle, Naperville, and Warrenville. District 42 was reshaped in the decennial redistricting process. The district is currently represented by Rep. Sandy Pihos, a Glen Ellyn Republican, but she was drawn out of the district. Rep. Michael Connelly, a Naperville Republican, who represents the 48th District, was drawn into the 42nd, but he is planning to run for the Illinois Senate.

Also running for the Republican nomination is , and Laura Pollastrini of Carol Stream. The primary is set for March 2012.