1-16-2022 12:46am

Republicans running to represent Roscoe and Rockton: Andrew Chesney in Senate, John Cabello in House

Michael McGinnis Editor

L-R: Andrew Chesney and John Cabello

Two Republican candidates hope to represent Roscoe and Rockton (and other towns) in the newly redistricted Illinois Legislature

State Representative Andrew Chesney, who has been serving in the 89th district, has launched his candidacy for Illinois Senate District 45. Both men thanked District 45 incumbent Brian Stewart, who will not run for re-election. House District 90 makes up half of his Illinois Senate District 45.

Former 68th District State Representative John Cabello will run for Illinois House District 90. UPDATE: Village of Roscoe President Mark Szula filed in January to run against him

At press time, neither candidate's website has been updated yet after filing for office, and neither has the Illinois State Board of Elections. Thursday, Jan. 13, was the first day for candidates to begin collecting signatures on petitions for the June 28 primary ballot.

Currently, the Stateline region is part of Illinois Legislative District 69, represented by Rep. Joe Sosnowski and part of Illinois Senate District 35, represented by Sen. Dave Syverson. Both legislators are Republicans, as are both hopefuls.

The new boundaries of Illinois Legislative District 90 includes Roscoe, Rockton, South Beloit, Javon Bea Hospital, MercyHealth SportsScore One and Two, Durand, Freeport, and northwest Poplar Grove. District 90 incumbent Tom Demmer has announced he is running for Illinois State Treasurer instead.

The new boundaries of Illinois Senate District 45 encompasses Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit, and would extend west to the Mississippi River, including Oregon, Genoa, and Galena. As we mentioned, District 45 incumbent Brian Stewart has decided not to run for re-election.

FREEPORT: State Representative Andrew Chesney launched his candidacy for the Illinois State Senate District 45 today after current Senator Brian Stewart announced he will not seek re-election. Chesney is a third term Republican State Representative who was sworn into office on December 5th, 2018, following his election as State Representative of the 89th district in November 2018.

“Brian Stewart is my mentor and friend, a principled conservative and job creator. Instead of trying to be a career politician, he was a long-time public servant who focused on doing what was right for his constituents. Though we served in different chambers, our values were always aligned. I am proud to have his full support and endorsement of my candidacy in the 45th Senate District,” said Chesney.

“My run for the 45th District is a step towards more opportunity for Illinois families who have seen their personal freedoms, businesses, and security dry up under the detrimental one-party rule of this state government. Someone needs to remind the Springfield elite that the decisions they make on budgets, on restrictions, on mandates, and on raising taxes all impact the cost of living and doing business in Illinois. Without hard-working conservatives on the front lines, it will eventually be cheaper to leave than live in our state. The work I’ve done in the State House, and will continue to do in the Senate, shines a light on unethical legislative behaviors and holds politicians accountable to the people they represent,” said Chesney.“

We cannot continue operating with a backwards ideology where politics comes before families, criminals come before victims, benefits for illegal immigrants come before funding law enforcement, and mandates come before our constitutional rights,” said Chesney. “I am running for State Senate to bring logic and people-first values back to Illinois."

Andrew Chesney and his wife Kelly reside in Freeport. He is an honors graduate of Arizona State University. He has built a career in real estate and for over a decade played a primary role in his family-owned manufacturing business.

MACHESNEY PARK: Former State Representative John Cabello will run for the newly drawn 90th District Illinois House seat in 2022. The 90th is half of the Illinois Senate seat currently represented by State Senator Brian Stewart.

“First and foremost, I want to thank State Senator Brian Stewart for his support of my candidacy and his friendship. Brian and I spent many hours together traveling to Springfield and discussing legislation. Brian is a public servant we can all truly admire, and he has a been a role model for me inside and outside of the legislature,” said John Cabello.

“With the redistricting, I now fall into the new 90th State Representative District which contains a large portion of the 68th District where I previously served as their representative. I have always fought the good fight opposing taxes and higher spending but more importantly, representing my constituent's interest and not the special interests,” said Cabello.

“In my last two terms in office it seemed that things were getting more and more off-center in Springfield, but this past year has seen an acceleration in leftist “progressive” legislation that can only be described as reckless. They have jeopardized our public safety with a Criminal Justice Reform bill that hampers law enforcement and makes legal what should be illegal. I will work to repeal that legislation either in part or in whole and work for legislation that protects our citizens, and law enforcement officers,” said Cabello.

John Cabello has been a police detective for decades and has served on the Harlem Township Board, the Winnebago County Board, and the Illinois House.