Former governor Jim Edgar makes endorsement
Former Gov. Jim Edgar has come out in favor of one of the candidates for Ward 10 alderman. Edgar, in a press release put out Monday, gave his endorsement to Phil Chiles, former president of the Illinois Association of Realtors “He performed capably and effectively when we worked together in state government,” Edgar said in his press release. “I am glad to support a candidate who has demonstrated the commitment and ability we need in public office.”
Ward 10 alderman candidates Ralph Hanauer, 54, and Chiles, 66, are both lifelong Republicans, but Springfield’s municipal elections are nonpartisan, meaning they are able to run against one another. Ward 10 covers much of Springfield’s far west side.
Chiles and Hanauer have support from different elements within their party. Hanauer has the endorsement of the Sangamon County Republican Party, former Springfield mayor Karen Hasara and former Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson. Chiles has built up a collection of endorsements from state-level politicians like Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal, State Rep. Raymond Poe and, most recently, Edgar. Chiles also has some local endorsements, including those of current Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe and Sangamon County Sheriff Wes Barr.
Chiles has been a Marine, a missionary, a pastor and a Realtor. He serves on the Capital Township Board of Trustees, and he has worked in two branches of state government, including as a legislative liaison under former Gov. Jim Thompson. Chiles worked in close proximity with Edgar during Thompson’s administration. Chiles and his son-inlaw, Doug Cycholl, are co-owners of Levi Home Construction.
Hanauer, a network engineer with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, said he has been involved in the local
Republican Party since he was 13 years old, walking door-to-door in campaigns.
“I’ve always been interested in running for office,” Hanauer said. “So when this came about, I really thought, ‘Yeah, let’s try this.’ ” Chiles said his experience as a Realtor helps him understand the challenges business owners face when opening up shop in Springfield.
“I can go down to Chatham and get a building permit today,” Chiles said. “I can go to Sherman – same thing. I go to Springfield and it might be three weeks before I get a building permit.”
Hanauer said that working as a network engineer has helped him understand how to work with constituents while troubleshooting problems.
“I understand people’s frustrations with things,” Hanauer said. “Walking door-to-door, you hear it as well.”
The Sangamon County Republican Party has released a radio ad supporting Hanauer by pointing out Chiles’ spotty attendance record on the Capital Township Board. The ad notes that Chiles has missed about a third of the votes during his time on the board.
Chiles said because the board meets at noon it can be difficult to make all the meetings when you have a job. Chiles also pointed to an instance when he missed a meeting because he was in Washington, D.C., with the Illinois Association of Realtors lobbying for mortgage interest deductions.
“It wasn’t like I wasn’t doing anything,” he said.
Chiles said he thinks the ads are a good sign because campaigns tend to go negative when they are losing. He also said that he has spoken with some voters who plan to vote for him after hearing the ad. Hanauer has a different way of characterizing the ad.
“This isn’t negative campaigning; this is informative for voters.” Hanauer said.
