Orland Park man to vie for Jackson’s old seat
By Mike Nolan mnolan@southtownstar.com November 29, 2012 5:32PM
Jim Hickey
Updated: November 29, 2012 10:52PM
Jim Hickey, president of the Orland Fire Protection District board, said Thursday he intends to run for the 2nd Congressional seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr.
It would be the Orland Park resident’s second stab at going to Washington. In March, he lost the Democratic primary in the 11th Congressional District to former U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, who last month defeated Judy Biggert.
The 2nd District takes in parts of Chicago’s South Side and all or parts of suburbs including Frankfort, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Oak Forest, Sauk Village and Tinley Park. The district doesn’t take in Orland Park, but that does not preclude Hickey from running. If elected, he would have to step down from the fire protection district board, a Hickey spokesman said.
In a news release announcing his candidacy, Hickey said the congressional district’s residents “deserve to have someone who will roll up their sleeves and fight for their rights.” He said job creation and funding for education would be key issues he’d campaign on.
