Defeated Skillicorn resigns, Kane, McHenry GOP pick his replacement

KANE COUNTY – Kane County Republicans chose Gary Daugherty of Gilberts to replace Allen Skillicorn, R-West Dundee, who resigned Jan. 5 as the state representative for House District 66, officials announced in a news release.

Skillicorn lost to Democrat Suzanne Ness on Nov. 3. Ness is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 13.

The district includes portions of Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Carpentersville, Gilberts, Elgin, Sleepy Hollow and East and West Dundee.

The vacancy was filled as required by law by the chairmen of the Kane and McHenry County Republican parties.

“We felt it was important to have an experienced leader for the end of session, and Gary was willing to step up at the last minute,” Kane County GOP Chairman Kenneth Shepro said in the release. “He has already demonstrated an extraordinary willingness to do anything needed, from organizing a Zoom meeting to poll watching on Election Day.”

“With the end of session looming, we had to act in literally a matter of hours,” McHenry County GOP Chairman Tyler Wilke said in the release. “A task that usually takes weeks or even months was accomplished in less than a day.”

Daugherty, 53, is a social media manager for Parkwood International; he also is a certified firearms safety instructor and an Illinois State Police-authorized concealed carry instructor, according to the release.

A committed conservative, Daugherty currently is the elected Republican committee member for Rutland Township Precinct 1. Last spring, he was chosen as the secretary of the Kane County Republican Party.

Daugherty is a life member of the National Rifle Association and from 2015 to 2018 was the town hall coordinator for the Illinois State Rifle Association, according to the release.

Daugherty is a regular participant on the Polite Society Podcast, a weekly discussion covering legislation, news and practical information important to all in the firearms community.

Daugherty said he appreciated the opportunity to serve.

Daugherty said in the release that he already had made his first deal by trading office space needed by the incoming legislators for a supply of pens, paper and markers left behind as he hurried down to Springfield.

“Everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome in Springfield, and I am honored and humbled by the confidence shown by Chairmen Shepro and Wilke in selecting me to represent the people of the 66th District,” Daugherty said in the release.