SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate Lisa Ciampoli has received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Illinois PAC in her bid for the 112th District seat.

The leading small business advocacy organization in the state, NFIB State Director Mark Gant praised Ciampoli as someone who "understands the challenges facing Illinois' small businesses and will do everything she can to create and maintain an environment where small businesses can grow and create jobs."

Running against incumbent state Rep. Katie Stuart in November’s election, Ciampoli welcomed the support.

“I am grateful to have the support of the NFIB and the hard-working business owners and employees in our district,” she said. “I am eager to get to work and support pro-growth policies to ensure we have good-paying jobs and services for our Metro East families.”

Besides her pro-small business stance, Ciampoli has made ethics reform one of her biggest platform issues. She recently called on Stuart to return all the campaign donations she’s received from the political organizations of embattled House Speaker Mike Madigan. The longest-tenured lawmaker in the state, Madigan now finds himself at the center of a still unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd, in which the utility giant is accused of funneling payments to members of his organization as a way of currying favor.

“Stuart is too entangled in Madigan’s web of corruption and lies,” Ciampoli told the SE Illinois News. “I’m calling on Rep. Stuart to return the money. Sadly, her credibility has already been tainted. It is clear that she cannot be trusted with your hard-earned money or your vote this November.”

The NFIB Illinois PAC endorsement is viewed as being critical to the campaign aspirations of most candidates, with the agency dispensing it support based on candidates' positions and records on small business issues.