Springfield, IL… House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Plainfield) has announced that he has appointed veteran State Representative David Leitch as an Assistant Minority Leader for the coming session.
Cross, who has been Leader of the House Republicans since 2003, announced that Rep. Leitch’s commitment to a strong strategic vision for the caucus, experience, and ardent commitment to improving the delivery of state services were among the criteria used in selecting Leitch for the position.
“It is crucial that David Leitch serve as one of my most trusted advisors as we begin the process of righting the financial ship of the state. David’s understanding of the state’s Medicaid, pension and debt obligations as well as his strong moral compass and understanding of the legislative process will serve the House Republicans well as we begin the process of getting Illinois back on track,” said Cross.
Leitch, who has served ten years in Leadership as Assistant Majority Leader from 1995-1997 and Assistant Minority Leader from 1993-1994 and 1997-2002, said that he is, “honored to be chosen for the position. We have much hard work to do as we move past the engrained corruption of the Blagojevich Administration. I thank Leader Cross for the opportunity to work with him to develop an agenda for change that will put the people of Illinois first.”
“The work we have to do may not involve a lot of popular choices, but we must do what is necessary to bring the state out of its structural deficit and into financial solvency. The many schemes and gimmicks that Blagojevich used to fund state programs must be investigated and we must see through the smoke and mirrors,” said Leitch.
Rep. David Leitch is beginning his 11th term in the Illinois House of Representatives. He served a year in the Illinois State Senate, filling the remaining term of Senator Prescott Bloom after his untimely death in January, 1986. During his tenure in the Illinois House, Leitch has championed issues relating to education, human services, and economic development for Central Illinois. Recent initiatives include passing the nation’s first umbilical cord blood stem cell donation bill, protecting the Teacher’s Retirement System Insurance Fund from state raids, and transferring the Illinois Department of Corrections owned Hanna City Work Camp to Peoria County. He is recognized statewide for his leadership on mental health issues. In 2002, he secured the former Zeller Mental Health Center in Peoria for a North Campus location for Illinois Central College.