Pate takes a shot at LaHood and back Fitzgerald.
One of the more interesting issues will be who replaces Philip. It appears the main race is between Rauschenberger and Dillard. Dillard is a DuPage County Senator and Rauschenberger is western-Cook/Lake County (I haven’t seen the most recent boundary). Both are socially conservative and well respected by the wingnuts so regardless of who wins the race, there won’t be the bitter feelings that the Cross election created.
Rauschenberger is a serious guy and a budget expert. Dillard is more of the Philip kind of guy. Fiscally conservative with other people’s districts and fiscally liberal in DuPage. To add a little bit of intrigue, Rauschenberger is one of the few guys who gets along with the moderates and the wingnuts. The Illinois Leader likes him and Hastert used him to funnel cash to Illinois Senate races this fall. Additionally, he is probably the only person who can call himself a close ally of Fitzgerald. They were close in the lege.
My sense at this point is that if Philip has anything left, he’ll pass on his sceptre to Dillard in order to maintain DuPage’s influence. Nearly all of the caucus owes Philip so Dillard is the frontrunner. Given his ability to reach across the party and his detailed understanding of the state budget, Rauschenberger would be a better strategic choice in the coming budget battles.