SPRINGFIELD (Heartland Newsfeed) — A Republican state representative who voted in favor of tax hikes in 2017 and opted not to seek re-election in November’s general election is leaving earlier than expected and will not serve the remainder of his term ending in January.

State Rep. Chad Hays of Catlin announced in a press statement Friday that he will be leaving the Illinois General Assembly earlier than expected.
In the release, Hays noted that he has accepted a job in the private sector and will be serving as the executive director of Danville-based Crosspoint Human Services.
The representative, who’s been in office since 2010 and has been the assistant minority leader since 2013, stated his final day representing House District 104 will be September 7.
Hays stated that the timing is right to return to private sector where his past background and expertise in healthcare administration can be best utilized and described the past eight years in office as an “honor of a lifetime and a tremendous privilege.”
It is currently uncertain as who Republican governor Bruce Rauner will appoint to fill the seat until the new legislative session begins in January, as Rauner has a hotly contested gubernatorial race.
Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.