Union carpenters back Hastings
Frankfort state senator kicks off run for secretary of state
At least one of the candidates for Illinois secretary of state in 2022 should be familiar to south suburban voters.
State Sen. Michael Hastings, a Democrat from Frankfort, kicked off his campaign Wednesday with support from union carpenters.
“My commitment to you and to your family is that I will always continue to work relentlessly for working-class families across the state of Illinois,” Hastings said during an event in Elk Grove Village.
Hastings is among the first to formally announce a bid to fill the post held by the ever-popular Jesse White. The office issues driver’s licenses, registers vehicles and oversees libraries, among other duties.
Legislators last year approved a $464 million budget for the office, which has an estimated 3,978 employees, according to a state budget proposal for 2022.
White, 86, has been secretary of state since 1999. He has crushed opponents at the ballot boxes, easily winning elections by wider margins than any other candidate for statewide office. White’s retirement is expected to create a crowded field for the Democratic primary March 15, 2022.
Alexi Giannoulias, former state treasurer, has declared his intent to run. Other Democrats said to potentially be exploring bids include city of Chicago Clerk
Anna M. Valancia, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough and Chicago Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.
Hastings has launched a yearlong campaign to make the case why he believes he is the best person for the job.
“My leadership experience, whether it’s in the military, whether it’s in corporate America, whether it’s in the Illinois General Assembly, is proven leadership,” Hastings told a group at a Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentices and Training Program facility.
Hastings, 40, has represented the 19th District in the Illinois Senate since 2013. He succeeded the late Maggie Crotty. The district covers all or parts of Country Club Hills, Flossmoor, Frankfort, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Homer Glen, Joliet, Lockport, Markham, Matteson, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Orland Park, Richton Park, Tinley Park and University Park.
He was raised in Orland Hills as one of six children. His father, Kyle Hastings, has been Orland Hills mayor since 1993 and faced criticism for his compensation as a public school administrator. His mother, Mary, is Orland Township administrator.
Politics runs in the Hastings family. A sister, Kimberly A. Has
tings Cristelli, chairs the board that oversees Palos Hills-based Moraine Valley Community College. A brother, Kyle Hastings II, was appointed by his father to serve on the Orland Hills Village Board after a secret interview process.
While Hastings family members have been accused of exerting political privilege, the state senator has accrued an impressive record of service and accomplishments. His political aspirations can be traced back to his days as student government president at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park.
He earned two bachelor’s degrees from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he played football. He saw combat as an Army officer in Iraq, earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service and other military honors.
After serving in the military, he worked in sales for Johnson & Johnson, then earned a master’s degree and a law degree. He served several years on the school
board for his hometown High School District 230.
In Elk Grove Village Wednesday, Kyle Hastings said he was proud of his son’s achievements.
“There’s not another person in the state of Illinois running for secretary of state that will fill the shoes of Jesse White,” he said.
Name recognition, fundraising capabilities and endorsements typically are among key considerations in statewide contests. Hastings’
campaign said Wednesday he has already raised more than $500,000. The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters said it represents more than 30,000 families.
“Sen. Hastings and I have worked together for many years. I have always known him as a man of integrity and honor,” said Gary Perinar, executive secretarytreasurer of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. “He’s level headed, he’s honest and he’s an extremely hard worker. That’s what we need in the state of Illinois.”
This is the second time Hastings has announced his intent to run for secretary of state. He filed paperwork to run in the 2018 Democratic primary but withdrew after White changed his mind and sought another term after previously announcing his retirement.
Park Forest Mayor Jonathan Vanderbilt, a union carpenter, trekked to Elk Grove Village Wednesday to support Hastings.
“When I heard carpenters were going to be supporting Sen. Hastings for the next secretary of state of Illinois, there’s no one else I could think of that would be great for that position,” Vanderbilt said.
“He has always been an advocate for our community.”
Hastings also is enlisting support from various Democratic Party leaders.
“I’ve known Mike over the years, since before he got involved in the political arena. I think Mike will be good for the entire state,” said Calvin Jordan, Rich Township highway commissioner,
Democratic committeeman for Rich Township and first vicechair of the Cook County Democratic Party. Hastings said he plans to campaign on ideas for modernizing and improving services offered through the secretary of state’s office.
“That will include expanding online services, promoting economic development and entrepreneurship, strengthening Illinois voters and consumers by focusing on security and preventing identity theft,” he said.
Hastings was unopposed last year when he won another term in the Illinois Senate, but his term will end in early 2023 due to redistricting after the 2020 Census. He plans to focus his campaign for statewide office on concerns of working families, he said.
“I will make it my priority to travel across the state to better understand what matters most to you and how I can make your experience with government better,” he said.