With her name on the marquee of a landmark Hinsdale Theater, DuPage County Board member Patricia Bellock announced Monday that she will seek the GOP nomination for state representative in the 81st District.
The announcement by Bellock (R-Hinsdale), which had been expected, will likely put her in a primary contest next year against former County Board member Patricia Trowbridge for the legislative seat being vacated by state Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale). Biggert is giving up her seat to run for Congress.
Trowbridge, of unincorporated Downers Grove, announced earlier this month that she also is seeking the GOP nomination in the 81st District, which includes all or parts of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Westmont and Downers Grove.
Bellock, a County Board member since 1992 and chairwoman of the board’s Judicial Committee, described herself a fiscal conservative who wants to “help government meet the needs of the people it serves.”
“My point in running for office . . . is to encourage people to get involved in government who don’t have their own private agendas,” Bellock told supporters in announcing her candidacy.
She acknowledged that she and Trowbridge share similar fiscal views. But Bellock suggested her service in local government was more recent.
“I’ve worked very hard in the district over the past six years,” Bellock said.