Saying it had been “the honor of a lifetime” to lead the Illinois Republican party, Chairman Tim Schneider announced Saturday that he would be stepping down from the role.
Schneider made the announcement earlier in the day at the ILGOP State Central Committee meeting.
“The Illinois Republican Party is an important force for change in a state that so desperately needs it,” Schneider wrote in a statement. “During my tenure, the ILGOP has stood for reform - term limits, fair maps, and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state. And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility.
“So, after the successes in 2020 and with plenty of time to gear up for the next election, I have decided it’s the right time to begin the transition to a new Chairman early next year. The entire State Central Committee is committed to an open and transparent process to select the best person for the job.”
Schneider was elected as chairman of the state Republican party in 2014 and was reelected to a second four-year term in 2018. A group of State Central Committee members selected by Schneider could begin the search for his replacement as early as next month.
Schneider will continue to serve in the role until a new chairman is selected, party officials said.