You would be hard-pressed to find a Republican, especially in Illinois, who would not count Ronald Reagan as one of their heroes. So a campaign is underway to place a Reagan statue at the state Capitol in Springfield.
State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) stresses that private dollars are being sought, perhaps $200,000 to $250,000.
“The history of Illinois,” says LaHood, “is shown throughout the Capitol, and having Reagan as a part of that, I think, supplements all the other things that we have here.
“There is a statue of Reagan in the U. S. Capitol; I think we need one here.”
Reagan, the only person born in Illinois to become president, died ten years ago today.
Reagan’s biography does not include local or state office in Illinois, though he was born in Tampico and is a 1932 graduate of Eureka College.
A LaHood news release gives his office phone number as the point of contact for information about making a donation: (217) 782-1942.