Reps. Keicher, Syverson to open new office in Hampshire

SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 14 to open their new legislative office at 115 W. Oak Knoll Drive in Hampshire.

According to a news release, local residents are invited to the 4:30 p.m. ceremony, which will be followed by an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call 815-987-7555.

“Illinoisans like to see their legislators working together, and opening a joint office with Rep. Keicher meets that goal and will also help save taxpayers’ money,” Syverson said in a news release. “With the growth in this part of Kane County, we wanted to make sure we had a local office to better serve and be more convenient for our citizens. In addition, this space will allow us to host regional meetings with leaders as we work on key projects that impact the entire area.”

Syverson and Keicher both recently announced their bid for reelection in November. Keicher’s 70th district will be in a newly redrawn 70th District that now includes portions of DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties.

The new district will not include DeKalb or much of northern DeKalb County. Instead, it will include some of northern Kane County, including Pingree Grove and Hampshire, and some of McHenry County, including eastern Huntley and Lake in the Hills.

New legislative districts, a result of the once-a-decade redrawing of lawmakers’ boundaries, will go into effect for the November 2022 election. The new 70th District covers significantly less of DeKalb County. Under the current maps, which remain in effect until the next election, DeKalb County was covered primarily by the 70th District. With the new lines drawn, the county will be represented by four different legislators.

[ GOP state rep to seek reelection in redrawn 70th District that includes DeKalb, Kane, McHenry counties ]

The Hampshire office will have weekly hours, and monthly town hall meetings are being planned to discuss issues important to the region’s residents.

“In addition to our duties in Springfield, Sen. Syverson and I will continue to meet with area residents, community officials, organizations and businesses to help assess local priorities and concerns,” Keicher said in the release. “Our office in Hampshire is a place for people to come with their questions and get help with issues they may be dealing with in Springfield. Our staff is there to assist constituents in whatever their concerns are.”