Eileen Lyons

Eileen Lyons (born July 3, 1941) is a former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 until 2006.

Eileen Lyons
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 82nd district
In office January 2003 – January 2006
Preceded by	Jim Meyer (redistricted)[1]
Succeeded by	Jim Durkin
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 47th district
In office January 1995 – January 2003
Preceded by	David McAfee
Succeeded by	Patti Bellock (redistricted)[2]
Personal details
Born	Eileen Lyons (1941-07-03) July 3, 1941 (age 83) New York City, New York
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Elmhurst College (BA)

Biography

Born in New York City, New York, Lyons received her bachelor's degree in English from Elmhurst College. She lived in Western Springs, Illinois.^[3]

In the 1994 general election, Lyons defeated two-term incumbent David McAfee in the Republican-leaning 47th district.^[4] Two years later, Lyons defended her seat successfully against a targeted effort by the Illinois Democratic Party on behalf of Mark Pera^[5][6]

During the 93rd General Assembly, she was an Assistant Minority Leader under Tom Cross.^[7]

Lyons opted not to run for reelection in the 2006 election. Jim Durkin, who served in the Illinois House from 1995 to 2003, chose to enter the race to succeed her.^[8] Lyons opted to resign from the Illinois House of Representatives midway through the 94th General Assembly effective January 5, 2006. Local Republicans leaders appointed Durkin to the vacancy.^[9] During the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, Lyons endorsed the presidential campaign of Rudy Giuliani.^[10]

Notes

1. "Our Campaigns - IL State House 082 Race - Nov 05, 2002".
2. "Our Campaigns - IL State House 047 Race - Nov 07, 2000".
3. White, Jesse (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 2003-2004. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 109. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
4. Wheeler III, Charles N. "'Home field' for GOP: Computer-drawn map has Republicans targeting numerous Illinois House districts in attempt to get closer to gaining control of state's lower chamber". Illinois Issues. University of Illinois at Springfield. p. 42.
5. Halperin, Jennifer. "On Targer: State Senate Democrats Count on Shifts in the South Suburbs". Illinois Issues. 22 (10). University of Illinois at Springfield: 25. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
6. Halperin, Jennifer. "Taking Aim: Democratic and Republican leaders draw a bead on legislative districts". Illinois Issues. 22 (3). University of Illinois at Springfield: 20. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
7. Illinois Blue Book 2003-2004. p. 64.
8. McQueary, Kristen (September 15, 2005). "GOP, Durkin hoping to launch comeback". Daily Southtown.
9. Mahoney, Mark (Clerk of the House) (ed.). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 94 (75). Illinois House of Representatives: 3–5. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
10. Peters, Gerhard; Woolley, John T. (eds.). "Rudy Giuliani Press Release Former IL Congressman Tom Ewing Endorses Giuliani Online by". The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved August 20, 2021.