Eileen Lyons Explained

Eileen Lyons
State House1:Illinois
District1:82nd
Term Start1:January 2003
Term End1:January 2006
Predecessor1:Jim Meyer (redistricted)[1]
Successor1:Jim Durkin
State House2:Illinois
District2:47th
Term Start2:January 1995
Term End2:January 2003
Predecessor2:David McAfee
Successor2:Patti Bellock (redistricted)[2]
Birth Name:Eileen Lyons
Birth Date:3 July 1941
Birth Place:New York City, New York
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Elmhurst College (BA)

Eileen Lyons (born July 3, 1941) is a former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 until 2006.

Biography

Born in New York City, New York, Lyons received her bachelor's degree in English from Elmhurst College. She lived in Western Springs, Illinois.[3]

In the 1994 general election, Lyons defeated two-term incumbent David McAfee in the Republican-leaning 47th district.[4] Two years later, Lyons defended her seat successfully against a targeted effort by the Illinois Democratic Party on behalf of Mark Pera[5] [6]

During the 93rd General Assembly, she was an Assistant Minority Leader under Tom Cross.[7]

Lyons opted not to run for reelection in the 2006 election. Jim Durkin, who served in the Illinois House from 1995 to 2003, chose to enter the race to succeed her.[8] Lyons opted to resign from the Illinois House of Representatives midway through the 94th General Assembly effective January 5, 2006. Local Republicans leaders appointed Durkin to the vacancy.[9] During the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, Lyons endorsed the presidential campaign of Rudy Giuliani.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Campaigns - IL State House 082 Race - Nov 05, 2002.
  2. Web site: Our Campaigns - IL State House 047 Race - Nov 07, 2000.
  3. Book: White. Jesse. Illinois Blue Book 2003-2004. 109. Illinois Secretary of State. Springfield, Illinois. June 17, 2021.
  4. Web site: Wheeler III. Charles N.. 'Home field' for GOP: Computer-drawn map has Republicans targeting numerous Illinois House districts in attempt to get closer to gaining control of state's lower chamber. 20. 10. Illinois Issues. University of Illinois at Springfield. 42.
  5. Halperin. Jennifer. On Targer: State Senate Democrats Count on Shifts in the South Suburbs. Illinois Issues. 22. 10. 25. University of Illinois at Springfield. June 17, 2021.
  6. Halperin. Jennifer. Taking Aim: Democratic and Republican leaders draw a bead on legislative districts. Illinois Issues. 22. 3. 20. University of Illinois at Springfield. June 17, 2021.
  7. Book: Illinois Blue Book 2003-2004. 64.
  8. News: McQueary. Kristen. GOP, Durkin hoping to launch comeback. September 15, 2005. Daily Southtown.
  9. Mahoney. Mark (Clerk of the House). Resignations and Appointments. Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 94. 75. 3–5. Illinois House of Representatives. June 17, 2021.
  10. Web site: Rudy Giuliani Press Release Former IL Congressman Tom Ewing Endorses Giuliani Online by . Gerhard. Peters. John T.. Woolley. The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. August 20, 2021.