Dupage Policy Journal

Willowbrook Mayor Frank Trilla is among several local politicians whose names have surfaced as a possible candidate to fill the state Senate District 41 seat recently vacated by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).

According to Chicago City Wire, Trilla, along with DuPage County Board members John Curran and Gary Grasso, could possibly be selected by a local Republican Party committee to fill the unexpired term of Radogno, who announced her resignation June 29.

Trilla told DuPage Policy Journal that being considered for the Senate seat is quite the honor.   

“I am in the first few months of my second term as mayor of Willowbrook, a job I love,” Trilla said. “It is exciting and an honor to be considered. … I would need to have a long talk with my family before I was ever to do this, which I have not done yet, but it is awesome to be considered.”

Trilla elaborated on his record as mayor of Willowbrook. He said during his tenure, the village has achieved an AAA bond rating without levying any property taxes for general village functions.

Besides serving as mayor, Trilla is legislative director for the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. He characterizes his experience by saying that he has “reviewed literally thousands of bills just this year.”

The Chicago Tribune said that part of the reason Radogno resigned stems from partisan gridlock and the constant stalemate in the debate surrounding the state’s budgetary crisis.

Radogno served in the legislature for over 20 years and was one of the first women to lead a legislative caucus.

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) was selected to replace Radongo as Senate minority leader after a recent vote by the Senate Republican Caucus.