Journal & Topics Media Group

D’Amico Retires As 15th District State Rep

Not Ruling Out Run For Another Office, Possibly Secretary Of State?


Then-Niles Village Trustee (now Mayor) George Apologias with his honorary campaign chairman, State Rep. John D’Amico (D-15th) (left) at Apologias’ mayoral announcement and campaign kick-off fundraiser at PlayBook Sports Bar in 2019. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)

State Rep. John D’Amico, who has represented the 15th State House District for 10 terms, announced Friday his retirement from the seat effective immediately.

D’Amico has not ruled out another run for office, however, specifically mentioning a possible run for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. 

The 15th District touches the southern end of Glenview, stretching south through unincorporated Des Plaines and Niles into Chicago’s Northwest Side. 

D’Amico has focused much of his work in the Illinois House on road and traffic safety issues where he chaired the House Transportation, Vehicles and Safety Committee while working closely with Secretary of State Jesse White, a press release announcing D’Amico’s retirement said. 

“I’ve known John for more than two decades and enjoyed his friendship, both on a personal and political level,” Niles Mayor George Alpogianis said. “He’s always been supportive of my political campaigns and the village of Niles. He brought millions of dollars into the village for roads and other projects. He will be missed.” 

“It took me a long time to come to that decision” to step down, D’Amico told the Journal & Topics Monday. “I’ve always been very passionate about being a state representative, helping so many people.”  

“I felt like it was time I’ve been there for 10 terms, but I have a lot of responsibility at the plumbers union,” D’Amico said. D’Amico is the political director for the Plumbers Union Local 130. 

“It has been an honor and privilege to represent the people of the 15th District. None of my legislative efforts would have been possible without the vote of confidence from all the supporters sending me to Springfield,” D’Amico said in a written statement. “I want to thank all of my colleagues who have helped create safer roadways for all Illinoisans.”

D’Amico said he expected there would be an application process to help find his replacement. Michael Rabbitt announced in September he would challenge D’Amico for his seat in next year’s Democratic Primary. 

“I’m hopeful that the appointment process will be transparent and allow community voices to be heard,” Rabbitt said in a statement issued Saturday, Nov. 6. “I want to thank and congratulate Rep. D’Amico for his 17 years of public service to the residents of the 15th District, including the important driving safety legislation he sponsored.”

The next step in finding a replacement to fill D’Amico’s seat will be a meeting of Democratic Party ward and township committeemen, who will name the new 15th District representative with a weighted vote, according to how much of the 15th District is in Chicago wards or suburban townships. 

State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-8th), who is the 39th Ward Democratic committeeman, representing the largest portion of the 15th District in his Chicago ward and who would hold a 38% weighted vote, is followed by Maine Township Democratic committeewoman and State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-28th) with 32.5%, followed by Niles Township Democratic Committeeman Lou Lang with 17.7% of the vote and 41st Ward Democratic Committeeman Joe Cook who has an 8.9% weighted vote. The remaining four committeemen each would have less than a 2% weighted vote each. D’Amico said a date for that meeting had not been set as of Monday.  

Journal reporters were unable to immediately reach Villivalam or Murphy Monday morning before press deadlines. 

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