McHenry Times

In the four-candidate race for House Representative in District 66 that became a three-candidate race at the 11th hour, Allen Skillicorn emerged as the winner of the Republican primary on March 15.

“I am feeling good,” Skillicorn told the McHenry Times. “We are excited about finally being able to publicly declare victory.”

The East Dundee trustee and vice-chair for the Kane County Republican Party said he personally knocked on more than 10,000 doors, and talked to voters about property tax relief and the need for Republicans to stand up to House Speaker Mike Madigan -- a message Skillicorn said was very well received.

Now that all the signs and campaign litter has been cleared up, Skillicorn said it’s time to continue the conversation about Madigan and the state of Illinois.

“The next stop is continuing to talk to voters and raise awareness about what Speaker Madigan is doing in Springfield,” Skillicorn said. “Currently the House is on spring break until April and the fact is we need a budget; the fact is we need pension reform; the fact is we need significant financial and business reforms to get the Illinois economy going; and Mike Madigan refuses to advance those issues. He also refuses to even schedule the House to meet.”

Skillicorn, who claimed approximately 33.04 percent of the votes in McHenry and Kane counties, will face off against Democratic challenger Nancy Zeller in November for retiring State Rep. Mike Tryon’s seat.

“She’ll be able to get some financial resources and she has some fans in the area, but at the end of the day she has a track record of raising property taxes,” Skillicorn said. “She supports Mike Madigan and she supports Madigan’s tax increases. I don’t think the voters of the 66th District are going to be able to identify with those issues.”

Curtailing property taxes has been the hallmark of Skillicorn’s campaign. Skillicorn was elected as East Dundee trustee in 2011 and fought to keep property taxes from rising. His efforts ultimately helped lower village property taxes per home.

The marketing director signed the Tax Accountability Taxpayer Protection Pledge on July 10, 2015, and has been endorsed by Tax Accountability, the political action arm of Taxpayers United of America (TUA).

In addition to solving property tax problems, Skillicorn wants to help promote accountability in Springfield and believes term limits for elected officials would greatly reduce corruption in government.

For now, Skillicorn is grateful for voters’ support and promises to be their voice in Springfield.

“I just want to thank people for their support, and we plan on taking the fight to Mr. Madigan,” Skillicorn said.