Joe Silkwood announced Tuesday at the Machinists union hall that he is running for the Democratic Party’s nomination for state representative of the 111th District.
If nominated, Silkwood will run against Republican Amy Elik, who was elected to the seat in 2020 with a 10-point win over previous incumbent Democrat Monica Bristow. Elik is a certified public accountant and forensic auditor. She has campaigned on a platform of fiscal conservatism and ethics reform in state government.
“Apparently nearly bankrupting the Village of East Alton wasn’t enough for Joe Silkwood, as he now seeks to join Chicago Democrats on their mission to raise taxes, de-fund the police, and enable Governor Pritzker’s never-ending mandates,” said executive director of House Republican Majority Jayme Siemer.
Silkwood previously served as East Alton village treasurer from 1999-2015. He retired as village treasurer and ran unopposed for village trustee when Don Dodson did not run for the seat he held following the death of Randy Mortland.
Silkwood was then handed the reins of East Alton government when he was appointed mayor only moments after he was sworn in as a village trustee in 2015. He was selected to fill the vacant seat left by the retirement of mayor Fred Bright. Under village ordinance, appointment could only go to a village trustee.
Silkwood was then elected to the position in 2017.
He retired as mayor when he ran for Madison County auditor in 2020 and lost by an 11-point margin to Republican David Michael.
In April 2021, Silkwood told The Telegraph that he would be retiring from local government.
In his announcement for state representative, Silkwood said he would fight against burdensome legislation and make safety a top priority.
In the past year, Democratic legislators have pushed through a controversial police reform bill in the middle of the night, created judicial subcircuits in Madison County without informing the public and approved controversial sex education mandates.