By Michael Romain

Staff Reporter

An Austin business consultant has announced his plan to run against Camille Y. Lilly (78th) for an Illinois House seat in a district that much of Oak Park during the 2020 elections. Lilly has been in the House since 2010.

Joshua Flynn, 32, said that he's running to bring economic development to Austin and to help lower taxes in the state.

"State income taxes have went up, gas taxes have doubled—I want to help lower those taxes in Illinois and prevent any more money from being taken from the taxpayers," Flynn said.

Flynn, who is the 29th Ward committeeman for the Libertarian Party, said that he also wants to help usher in new prison reforms.

"I've seen people struggle, even in my own family, to adapt back to regular life after leaving prison," he said.

When asked about his Libertarian Party membership, Flynn explained that his alienation from the Democratic and Republican parties prompted him to consider a political alternative.

"I'd been a Democrat the majority of my life, but as I matured as an adult I wasn't seeing the party help my community, at all," Flynn said. "I just saw them as getting my votes and using those votes against us. The Democratic Party has used things like welfare and reparations to gain votes. The Republican Party doesn't seem to care. The Libertarian Party accepted me for who I am. It cares about people."

According to his campaign biography, Flynn is co-director and community organizer for the North Austin Council; a facilitator and recruiter at Get to Work Illinois; a mentor with BUILD Chicago; and a recent member of Rotary International.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com