Wheeler named assistant House GOP leader

SPRINGFIELD (Heartland Newsfeed) — Veteran lawmaker Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) has been appointed as an assistant GOP leader in the Illinois House of Representatives for the duration of the 101st session of the General Assembly.

A resident and long-time small business owner of Kendall County, Wheeler has earned a reputation of being a staunch advocate for small businesses in the state. A business owner of 28 years, Wheeler is a former chair of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce and former Illinois leadership chair on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Business.

“I am truly honored to accept the appointment as assistant Republican leader,” Wheeler said in a press release. “I am grateful to Leader (Jim) Durkin and the entire House Republican Caucus for this opportunity. I stand committed to working with Republican and Democratic leaders from both the House and Senate to make much-needed reforms to state government and to help create Illinois jobs for Illinois families.”

Wheeler is entrusted with pushing party legislative positions, including a piece of legislation he helped pass back in 2015, which mandates all state agencies to “review rules and regulations on small businesses in order to identify” rules that can either be streamlined or eliminated.

Wheeler secured a third term to represent House District 50 in November. The district includes portions of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Campton Hills, Elburn, Montgomery, Oswego, Plano, St. Charles, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.