The Herald News
SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego has been elected to a second term as House Republican Leader.
The 46-year-old legislator said he was honored to be re-elected by his colleagues in the House Republican caucus and promised to continue working to “promote the Republican philosophies of smaller government, fiscal responsibility and letting our citizens keep more of the money they earn.”
Cross was first elected House Republican leader two years ago after leading a successful revolt to unseat longtime leader Lee Daniels of Elmhurst.
Since being named to the post, he has worked to open up the party’s decision-making process to more rank-and-file members and fought to pass new ethics-reform legislation that he said was essential to helping restore the public’s trust in Illinois government after the scandal-plagued George Ryan administration.
He has also vowed to someday regain a Republican majority in the House, which — like the Senate and the governor’s mansion — is now controlled by the Democrats. He achieved a small victory toward that end last month, when the GOP picked up two House seats.
Cross will begin his second term as leader — and his seventh as a state legislator — when the House reconvenes on Jan. 12.
Cross’ 84th District includes all of Boulder Hill, the eastern half of Oswego, the southern tip of Aurora, Plainfield, Shorewood and the west side of Joliet.