Tributing Illinois own Mr. Nice Guy

Sometimes you wonder if the "Nice guys finish last" slogan didn't originate in Illinois politics. 

"Nice guys" are the ones who take time to listen to dreamers and complainers, give their last dime to someone in need when they're just as much in need, and invest every marker they ever accumulated into helping someone else. 

But when the time comes for "nice guys" to be helped, well, somehow it just doesn't seem like a priority and opportunities to pay back pass. 

Such regrets were voiced Sunday when Kane County Republicans paid tribute to a real "nice guy," former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger.  Steve chose to run for governor in 2006 rather than run for re-election for a senate seat he had held since 1993.  Judy Baar-Topinka won the 2006 GOP gubernatorial nomination and Democrat Gov. Rod Blagojevich was re-elected. 

Numerous Kane County elected officials joined State Central GOP Committeeman Denny Wiggins, State Senator Chris Lauzen, former State Rep. Lee Daniels  and former U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde in honoring Rauschenberger Sunday morning at Elgin Community College.

Although Steve's now working in the private sector, he remains in demand for his state budget expertise.  Along with continuing public service by helping former colleagues, Steve also has just assumed leading Illinois' United Republican Fund.  His political insight and experience has re-focused the URF's seventy year mission into one of service for Republican conservatives throughout Illinois.  The re-energized URF is attracting new board members, and is setting its sites toward more involvement in Illinois' political arena. 

For a "recliner salesman" as Steve refers to himself, he's an effective politician with humility as one of his most appealing traits.  His effect on Illinois politics is sure to remain sure and steady in years to come. 

But those attending Sunday's brunch wanted to express a debt of gratitude to one of Illinois' few Mr. Nice Guys for the years he has served Illlinois thus far.  As Kane County GOP Chairman Denny Wiggins said yesterday, "Steve once said if the White Sox won the World Series, he'd leave the General Assembly a happy man." 

Steve "Mr. Nice Guy" Rauschenberger got the White Sox's World Championship.  Let's hope he stays a happy man for a long time to come.  Mr. Nice Guy's certainly not finished.  And he certainly hasn't finished last.