Christine Radogno Elected to Third Term as Senate Republican Leader

Written by Amanda Luevano

Illinois Sen. Christine Radogno will once again serve as the Illinois Senate Republican Leader after being elected to her third term Wednesday during inaugural ceremonies for the 98th General Assembly.

Get news in your inbox. Sign up for the Patch newsletter.

Like Naperville Patch on Facebook.

Radogno, a Lemont resident, faced a challenge from conservative Sen. Kyle McCarter of Lebanon, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Senate Republicans met behind closed doors, and elected Radogno by acclamation.

“It is an honor to be chosen to lead the Senate Republican Caucus,” Radogno said in a release. "I thank the constituents of the 41st District for giving me the privilege to represent them in the state capitol and the opportunity to serve as Leader. Illinois faces many challenges, but by working together our Caucus has had some success in reining in government spending, fighting to improve our jobs climate and ethical, transparent government."

Radogno, a Lemont resident, has served in the Illinois Senate since 1997. She was first elected as the Senate Republican Leader in 2008, becoming the first woman to be chosen as the leader of either party in the Illinois House or Senate.

Running unopposed in the Nov. 6 general election, Radogno retained her seat in the newly drawn 41st District, which includes portions of Burr Ridge, Darien, Downers Grove, Homer Glen, Indian Head Park, LaGrange, Lemont, Lisle, Naperville, Western Springs, Willowbrook and Woodridge.

The 98th General Assembly will begin on January 9, 2013.