Chicago City Wire

After current Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider announced he would be leaving the position last month, the party put together a committee to look for his replacement.

The committee was appointed on Dec. 5 and consists of four State Central Committee members. The members voted to approve recommendations over the weekend on the process timeline for the new chairman.

“In stark contrast to the Democratic Party of Illinois, the ILGOP is a grassroots-led party that functions with transparency and in service to all Republicans fighting to save Illinois,” Schneider said in a news release. “While the most corrupt politician in America, Mike Madigan, continues his white-knuckled control of the Democrat apparatus, Illinois Republicans are proud to have a process for the selection of a new leader open to all freedom-loving Illinoisans who believe they can continue growing our party.”

The State Central Committee will be taking applications until Jan. 21. They will meet on Jan. 23 to vet candidates and select finalists for interview.

When the committee meets on Jan. 30, they will interview finalists and take a final vote on the ILGOP chairman from the selection of candidates.

The chairman who is chosen will serve the remainder of Schnieder’s term, which expires in 2022.

Schneider has held the post since 2014. He is a small business owner and entrepreneur. 

When he announced he was stepping down, Schneider said it was a good time to welcome a new chairman.

“The Illinois Republican Party is an important force for change in a state that so desperately needs it,” Schneider said in a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times. “During my tenure, the ILGOP has stood for reform - term limits, fair maps, and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state. And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility.

Schneider said there was plenty of time before the next election, which made it a good transition point.

“So, after the successes in 2020 and with plenty of time to gear up for the next election, I have decided it’s the right time to begin the transition to a new Chairman early next year. The entire State Central Committee is committed to an open and transparent process to select the best person for the job,” he said in the statement, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.