News Reports about Prairie Parkway

Aurora Beacon-News
November 27, 2007

GOP leaders, contenders laud Hastert's hard work

By Dan Campana, Rowena Vergara and Andre Salles
STAFF WRITERS

From a hard-working regular guy to the face of a controversial project, opinions of Rep. Dennis Hastert registered in familiar tones following his resignation announcement Monday night.

"He never forgot Illinois. He never got caught up in 'Potomac Fever,'" said state Rep. Tom Cross of Oswego. "You have to say it was a great run."

Those sentiments were echoed by most, especially fellow Republicans and those lining up to replace him. They stood in contrast to Hastert's opponents, who see better days ahead without him.

"Certainly we have opposed him fully on Prairie Parkway; his resignation makes our job easier," said Jan Strasma, chairman of Citizens Against the Sprawlway. "Let's move on."
Hastert was the prime mover behind the highway, which would run through western Kane and Kendall counties, linking Interstates 88 and 80. Opponents derided it as "the Hastert Highway."

While Strasma leveled criticism at Hastert, who was elected to 11 terms in the 14th Congressional District, praise flowed freely from local Republicans.

"We certainly appreciate what he's done for us, there's no doubt about that," said Kane County Republican Chairman Denny Wiggins, who praised the unity Hastert created among the local GOP.

"I'm a little disappointed he's stepping down at this point."

In his resignation letter, Hastert cited his timing as an opportunity for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to schedule a special primary election to coincide with the already scheduled primary on Feb. 5.

News of Hastert's resignation took some candidates in the race to replace him by surprise. But all praised Hastert's years of service to the 14th District.

"Denny Hastert has set the gold standard for service to his community, his state, and his nation," said Jim Oberweis of Aurora, one of four Republican candidates in the race. Oberweis went on to praise Hastert's moves to cut taxes and foster economic growth, and to strengthen national security.

"I think he's served the district extremely well," said Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, also vying for the seat. "He never forgot where he came from, and who he represented, and he did it with the appropriate balance of humility."

State Sen. Chris Lauzen said that Hastert developed a constituent service team over 21 years in office that is well-respected, and he hopes that will continue after Hastert's exit. But he expressed some dismay over Hastert's decision to step down.

"I agree with the majority of people who voted a year ago that our district benefits from having that experience in office," Lauzen said. "We will miss his experience over the next year."

As a press secretary for the congressman during Hastert's years as speaker of the House, Brad Hahn got to see that experience at work firsthand. Hahn said Monday that he learned a lot from his time with Hastert, and he praised his ability to get things done without worrying about who would get the credit.

"No one did more for the Fox Valley than Dennis Hastert," Hahn said. "You can go to all parts of the district. No one has done more for the area to meet the needs of the residents and the community."

Hahn said that Hastert built up credibility by "getting the job done, and letting the record speak for itself," and he offered that as advice to whomever is elected to replace him.

Longtime Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke commended Hastert's foresight, recalling a 1990 committee he chaired that sited bridges throughout the Fox River Valley. The Sullivan Road bridge in Aurora that opened in 2006 and the Stearns Road bridge currently under construction north of St. Charles are examples of Hastert's work to prepare for today's growth, he said.

Hastert's commitment extended to Batavia's police and fire departments, as well as it's biggest employer, Schielke said.

"His support of Fermi was very key for Batavia," Schielke said. "I'm very sorry to see him go."

That community focus extended into Hastert's home county, Kendall.

Hastert helped secure federal money to restore the old Kendall County Courthouse and to purchase the 400-acre Hoover Outdoor Education Center campground. Without Hastert's help, the courthouse could have been demolished, and the green space likely used for commercial or residential development, community leaders said.

Former Yorkville Mayor Art Prochaska said he appreciated Hastert for being so tied to the city, whether talking to constituents on the street or shopping at local businesses.

"He was part of our community. He was not just somebody out there that was in Washington that we read and heard about. You would see him at the post office, the Jewel, the local restaurants. He was here in town," Prochaska said.

That's what Cross will remember best -- the Hastert who drove a pickup truck around his hometown while also being the congressman who spent more time as speaker of the House than any other Republican.

"That's a pretty incredible feat," Cross said.