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Central Illinois Gazette

Bill Black successors

Posted by: Tom Kacich

Friday, August 10, 2007 10:17 AM

Good story in The N-G today by Tracy Moss about possible successors to veteran state Rep. Bill Black http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2007/08/10/possible_successors_surface

The 104th House District covers most of Vermilion County and the eastern half of Champaign County. It's definitely a Republican district. Most of its voters -- an estimated 62 percent -- live in Vermilion County. And the conventional wisdom is that Vermilion County candidates should get first crack at retaining the seat.

Danville Alderman Terry Baldwin is preparing to circulate petitions.

Champaign County Board member Greg Knott said Thursday he's thinking about it. "I've got some interest," he said. "But I'm not sure yet how much."

He said he had not spoken to Black. "But I'm realistic enough to know that there will be a strong push for someone from Vermilion County."

Knott also said that for the same reason Black is getting out of the Legislature -- to spend more time with his family -- he would be reluctant to run. Knott has children 8 and 4 years old.

"I'm going to have to think long and hard about it," he said.

The two front-runners for the seat -- if they want it -- seem to be Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer and Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn. But Eisenhauer is laying low and Hartshorn told Tracy that he had "no comment at all" about running for the Legislature.

As for Democrats, the smart money seems to be on Todd Lee, the former Vermilion County Board chairman who now works in economic development for the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Moving to the Legislature might mean a pay cut for Lee. But how much stability right now is there in a job with the Blagojevich administration?

UPDATE:

Scott Eisenhauer, in an e-mail, said he was busy yesterday tending to some personal matters and couldn't get back to reporters.

Here's part of what he wrote: "I have to tell you that I am
very humbled and very flattered that anyone would even mention my name as a person who could serve as Representative, and quite honestly never gave it much thought....especially since I never thought Bill would retire!!!

"First and foremost I love what I am doing right now and being
Mayor was never a stepping stone but a destination. Any thoughts of
doing something else would have to be because it is in the best interest of my family AND in the best interest of getting things done for this area. But honestly, I have never given much thought to anything other than what I am doing."

Eisenhauer makes $63,000 as mayor, which is pretty comparable to what he'd make as a state rep.

I'd argue that being mayor is more satisfying than being one of 118 House members -- and as a member of what appears to be the minority party for at least four more years.