Radogno Re-elected As State Senate Republican Leader

State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) will once again serve as the Illinois Senate Republican Leader after being re-elected Wednesday during inaugural ceremonies for the 97th General Assembly.

Radogno, a Lemont resident, has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997. She was first elected as the Senate Republican Leader two years, becoming the first woman to be chosen as the leader of either party in the Illinois House or Senate.

“It’s a tremendous privilege to be elected by my peers, of whom every one is a leader in their own right,” Radogno said in a press release Wednesday. “I extend special appreciation to the people of the 41st District. It’s a great honor to serve them, and their support is what has allowed me to be in this position to serve the people of Illinois.”

Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) will once again serve as the Deputy Republican Leader, she said.

Following her re-election, Radogno also addressed the massive 67-percent tax increase passed by Illinois Democrats in the early morning hours Wednesday, which she strongly opposes.

“A 67 percent tax increase will drive jobs out of Illinois, place a significant burden on taxpayers, and relieve the pressure on lawmakers to implement much-needed spending cuts and reforms,” Radogno said. “We should be working on bringing jobs to Illinois—a tax increase is not the way to attract employers.”

Despite the increase, Radogno also said in the release that she was "encouraged by the bipartisanship" of the Illinois Senate over the past two years.

"We need that cooperation and respect if we are going to move forward together and address the state's issues."