CHICAGO – At least three Illinoisans from the state's Republican ranks were recognized last Friday night at a White House reception for their part in helping President Barack Obama attain his success in politics: former State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), former Republican Senate counsel Matt Jones and State Senator Chris Nybo (R-Lombard).
Senator Nybo told Illinois Review that he first became acquainted with President Obama when the president was one of the Senator's law professors during the time Nybo attended the University of Chicago from 1999 to 2002.
"In 1999 (when [the President] ran against Bobby Rush in a Democratic congressional primary), I did volunteer work that was very similar to what I did in 1996 when Senator Bob Dole ran for President in the New Hampshire Primary," Nybo said.
"President Obama has always known I am Republican, and in fact gave me a lot of teasing when I told him I was volunteering for President Bush in 2000. But I think he also knew that I am willing to work with and develop friendships with people who may not always agree with me. I'd like to think that's the reputation I'm developing in Springfield as well," he said.
Senator Nybo, who just was moved to a powerful position as Republican spokesman of the Senate Executive Committee, posted on his personal Facebook page about the event:
Another reception guest, former Senator Dillard, was known for cooperating with Democrats and even participated in an interview that was used in an ad for the Obama 2008 presidential candidacy. Dillard took heat for that ad during his 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial bids.
Former Senate Republican legal counsel Matt Jones and his wife Sandy Gallant attended Friday's night's event at the White House. Now a state's attorneys appellate prosecutor, Jones served as a member of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee for 17 years, from 1991 to 2008.
Mr. Jones did not answer IR's request as to how he assisted then-Senator Obama in his bid for higher office. His wife did post the following on her Facebook page about the reception:
In February 2016, President Obama spoke with Dillard and two other former Illinois Senate colleagues about the Springfield atmosphere when the Republicans held the Illinois Senate majority.
