Rep. Mike Tryon to Seek Re-Election to House of Representatives

State Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) announced today that he will seek re-election to the Illinois General Assembly for his seat in the 66th House District. The 66th District includes approximately 108,000 citizens from Algonquin, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, East and West Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood and Sleepy Hollow.

Tryon, who has served as a State Representative since 2005, said he has enjoyed getting to know the people of the new 66th District this year. “I have spent much of the last nine months since taking my seat in this newly-drawn district getting to know my new constituencies in Kane County,” said Tryon. “Now that I am familiar with their priorities and concerns, I am eager to continue representing them in Springfield,” said Tryon.

Tryon, a well-respected lawmaker on both sides of the aisle in Springfield, is the ranking Republican and Spokesperson for the Energy, Environment and Mass Transit Committees, and also serves on the Executive and Business Growth & Incentives Committees. In addition to these regular committee assignments, Tryon is one three Republicans from the Illinois House chosen to serve on the bi-partisan, bi-chamber Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (CGFA). CGFA is a “think-tank” which provides the Legislature with research and information regarding state and national economies, revenue projections and operations of Illinois Government.

Tryon said there are several issues that will continue to be priorities for him during the next three years, including fair and Constitutionally-sound pension reform, creating a better business climate, and ensuring that the “temporary” tax increase of 2011 sunsets in 2015 as originally written in the law. “Citizens are demanding pension reform and I agree that it is priority #1,” Tryon said. “I am a top line sponsor of two current pension proposals (HBs 3066 and 2365) that solve the crisis while respecting annuitants’ Constitutionally-guaranteed benefits. These bills would be a win-win for taxpayers and pension system participants.”

In addition, Tryon said college affordability and term limits for General Assembly members are also issues that are near and dear to him. “Having put three kids through college in recent years, I am keenly aware of how college is quickly becoming unaffordable for the average Illinois family,” said Tryon. “I’m a Chief Sponsor of a package of bill to address college affordability and am also spearheading an effort to rein in the rates at which our public universities can increase tuition year to year.”

With regard to term limits, Tryon said he favors a 12-year term limit for House and Senate members in the General Assembly. “I have studied this issue in great detail and have spoken with colleagues from other states, and many say that they are forced to leave office just as they hit their stride as an effective lawmaker,” Tryon said. “I know it took me a good 4-5 years just to develop trusted relationships that allow my legislation to move. That’s why I think a 12-year limit would be beneficial. These limits are even more important for leadership positions such as Speaker of the House, where in Illinois Mike Madigan has been in charge for 28 of the last 30 years and has brought Illinois down a very bad path.”

Representative Tryon has a detailed web site which includes position statements on a variety of key issues at www.miketryon.com.