State Senator Christine Radogno Submits Resignation

LEMONT, IL — State Senator and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno has submitted her resignation. According to a release from her office, Radogno will serve her last day in office on July 1.

Radogno serves the 41st district, which covers the communities of Lemont, Indian Head Park, La Grange, Western Springs, Homer Glen, Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Willowbrook, Woodridge, Naperville and Bolingbrook. She has served in that office since 1997.

"I have done the job to the very best of my ability and always with the needs of the state and my constituents in mind," Radogno said in her release.

However, Radogno states that she believes it's time for a new Senate Republican leader.

"I have done everything I can do to resolve the state's budget crisis. I will continue to do so for the coming days," Radogno said in the release.

She stated that she leaves political office with a sense of sadness and some disappointment, but no regrets.

"I did my best — that's all I could do," she said, according to her release.

Thank you! pic.twitter.com/rvR3GTd4vd
— ILSenateGOP (@ILSenateGOP) June 29, 2017

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton issued a statement following the pending retirement of Radogno.

"She and I began as Senate leaders on the same day. We started our relationship in those roles by voting for each other," Cullerton said in his release. "We then turned our attention to the impeachment trial. We followed that up with a long-overdue, bipartisan agreement on investing in roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure."

Cullerton said it's been an honor to have had Radogno as his legislative partner.

"She was the one who first reached out to me to start the Senate effort to show that we could balance the budget. Frankly, this week’s leaders meetings wouldn’t be occurring if it wasn’t for her," he said in a release.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also issued a statement on Radogno's resignation.

“Leader Radogno has been a committed and courageous public servant who has put the needs of her constituents, and all Illinois residents, ahead of special interests, politics and partisanship," the mayor said in a release from his office. "Throughout her five terms in office she has always proven willing to reach across the aisle to find solutions for Illinois’ most pressing challenges, and her reasonable, pragmatic, collaborative approach to policy stands as a model for other legislators to follow."

Emanuel added that as the first female leader of a party in the Illinois legislature, she has served as a role model and paved a path for future generations.

"I join residents across the state of Illinois in thanking Leader Radogno for her service and wishing her well in her next chapter," he said in a release.

Radogno said in her release that she is looking forward to returning to private life, and spending time with her family, especially her five grandchildren.

Photo via Christine Radogno's website.