Lake County Gazette

Chris Bos has always seen himself as a natural for the 51st District.

“They were looking for someone to stand up for the community and not play both sides, which is something I pride myself on,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette soon after receiving 27,014 votes (54.5%) to knock off incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen with 22,625 votes (45.6%). “From Day One of my campaign, the people of the district have been demanding change from things like the connection between my opponent and Mike Madigan.”

Bos goes to Springfield with a clear vision of what he thinks is most needed to get the state back on track.

“I’m committed to being a part of any reform or ethics movement,” he said. “We’ve got to come up with a better system. The one we have has been in place far too long for something that’s never really worked. I’m ready to start building coalitions with anyone who’s willing to work toward the reforms we need.”

Bos said he’s energized by the growing signs that residents have finally had enough of the Springfield way. He points to the rejection of the progressive tax plan backed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that was on the ballot as a constitutional amendment as an example of that sentiment.

“Voters sent the message loud and clear that they’ve had enough of all the spending and all the taxing,” he said. “It’s time lawmakers start listening to the people that they’re supposed to represent.”

In the end, Bos said he feels voters need to play a critical role in spurring the change many of them insist they now want to see.

“They need to keep standing up, just like they did against the progressive tax,” he said. “The louder they raise their voices, the more likely they are to get Springfield to listen.”