Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) is blasting outgoing Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) for what she calls again putting his own interests ahead of those of the people he was supposed to represent.

“Lou Lang lied to his voters,” Ives told the DuPage Policy Journal. “He ran for office and before even being sworn in to begin to serve his term of office, he has resigned. It is shameful. He should be remembered for this self-serving act. Now his party will pick a replacement to serve for a full two-year term that the voters did not select.”

After three decades in Springfield, Lang earlier this month announced his resignation, with news of it coming just over two months after voters went to the polls to elect him to another term.  

Rep. Jeanne Ives

As his next act, Lang plans to join the firm Advantage Government Strategies, where Nancy Kimme, former chief of staff to Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, is president. Kimme has a reputation across Illinois as being the state’s “go-to lobbyist,” with estimates pegging the amount of state contract business she has generated for 74 clients at more than $16 billion.

Over his career in Springfield, the 69-year-old Lang was known for having forged a close relationship with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and for often being at the center of controversy.

Less than a year ago, Lang was forced to step down from his position as deputy majority leader after activist Maryann Loncar accused him of engaging in years of sexual harassment that also included him threatening to “bury her.”

“I am not surprised Lang decided to lobby; many staff and other legislators do so as well,” Ives added. “While lobbyists can help elucidate difficult legislation, every legislator must be prepared to ask detailed questions and not blindly believe what they are told without hearing from all sides.”

Ives admitted she is turned off by the idea of Lang now being able to handpick his successor for a two-year term after running in the general election unopposed.

“Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for not admonishing Lang for abandoning his position after just being elected again,” she said. “And that new state representative will most likely run again with the power of incumbency.”