82nd District Candidates Debate Party Leanings

It’s been relatively quiet in the leading up to Tuesday’s Republican primary.

But with hours left before the election, (R-Western Springs) and his challenger each took a swing at the others’ party loyalty.

“My opponent has voted in the last three Democratic primaries, in years where Pat Quinn and Rod Blagojevich were at the top of the ballot,” Durkin said in a statement released Sunday night. “She claims to be a Republican but she still holds an elected Democratic committeeman position in Downers Grove Township and has been working to get Democrats elected for many years now.”

Reigle disputed the statement Monday with a release of her own defending her position in the township. 

“Jim, in no uncertain terms, I am NOT a Democrat,” she said in her statement. “As I have made clear before, I had been a Democrat precinct committeewoman who saw the Republican platform as the one that best describes my views.”

She also questioned Durkin’s voting record, arguing that he’s the one who veers from conservative policy. 

Durkin served as a state representative for the 44th District from 1995-2002, when he ran for the U.S. Senate on the Republican ticket against Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin. He returned to the Illinois House midterm in 2006 when he replaced retiring Rep. Eileen Lyons in the 82nd District, where he has served since.

In addition to her role as committeeman, Reigle has served as president of the Pleasantdale Voluntary Civic Association. She also describes herself as a “consultant to taxpayer groups concerned about education.” 

The 82nd District of the Illinois House includes parts of , , Woodridge, , La Grange and Western Springs. 

For more on the candidates, read the Patch Q&As with and .