Campaign To Bring Reagan Statue To The State Capitol

Dave Dahl -- Illinois Radio Network

Former President Ronald Reagan, the only president born in Illinois, died 10 years ago today – June 5, 2004.  You would be hard-pressed to find a Republican, especially in Illinois, who would not count Reagan as one of their heroes, so a campaign is under way to place a Reagan statue at the state Capitol in Springfield.

State Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) stresses that private funds 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’s biography does not include local or state office in Illinois, though he was born in Tampico, raised in Dixon and was 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.