Kadner: New state rep from Orland will consult his bagel guys

• Reprints

Charles Krezwick at his home in Orland Park, Illinois, Monday, January, 16, 2012. Krezwick has been appointed to fill out Kevin McCarthy's term as state representative in the 37th district. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 18, 2012 8:12AM

The guys at the Great American Bagel store in Orland Park will be among the unofficial advisers to newly appointed state Rep. Charles Krezwick (D-37th).

“I eat there all the time with a group of guys and, listen, we all know what’s wrong with this state,” Krezwick said.

A group of Democratic committeemen led by Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin met over the weekend and voted to appoint Krezwick to fill the unexpired term of state Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned last month.

Some people would say that in itself is part of what’s wrong with the Legislature.

But after a brief conversation with Krezwick by phone on Monday, I think he has the potential to be a refreshing voice in Springfield.

“I’m not going to accept the state pension,” he told me. “I don’t need it, and it’s not right. And if I qualify for health insurance, I’m going to ask someone down there how I can pay the state for that.

“This is an appointment for 11 months to fill out the unexpired term, and that’s all I’m planning to serve. I’m not running for anything after this.

“And listen, the state is just about broke and we all know that, so I don’t need anything extra in terms of a pension or health insurance.”

Krezwick has lived in Orland Park for 25 years and said he often has breakfast at the Great American Bagel on 151st Street across from Orland Square Mall.

“There’s a bunch of us guys who sit and argue about the problems of the world, and I’m probably the only Democrat in the group,” he said.

Krezwick worked as an aide to former U.S. Rep. Marty Russo (D-3rd) for 16 years and then went to work for U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-1st) for three years.

He graduated from Eisenhower High School in Blue Island while growing up in Calumet Park, where he eventually became a trustee and interim mayor.

At age 64, Krezwick said he will basically be coming out of retirement to take the House seat.

“It’s something I’m excited about because, frankly, I’m tired of watching the state give tax breaks to companies that want to locate in Naperville or Schaumburg.

“I’m not going to vote for anything like that unless I get something for the south suburbs. I think all of us are tired of watching our tax money go to communities who already have plenty of tax revenue coming in.”

Although he worked for liberal members of Congress, Krezwick said his views have moderated with age.

“For example, I would probably vote for a concealed-carry law,” Krezwick said. “Most of my friends have guns. They’ve never been arrested for anything. And we all know that criminals can buy guns and carry them whenever they want.

“So if an honest person wants to carry a gun to protect himself, I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s legal in 49 other states, and I think it’s time Illinois joined the rest of the country.”

Although the process to select a replacement for a legislator who resigns mid-term is by its nature a back-room process, Orland Township Committeeman McLaughlin opened it up to the public by inviting anyone to submit their credentials online. McLaughlin said 22 people responded, with 17 submitting resumes and answering a questionnaire he created.

McLaughlin then whittled the number down to two top candidates who were interviewed at Silver Lake Country Club on Saturday by McLaughlin, Bremen Township Committeewoman Maggie Crotty, Rich Township Committeeman Tim Bradford and Frankfort Township Committeeman Bob Hennessy.

The final voted was weighted, meaning McLaughlin, with about 50 percent of the district in Orland Township, had the final say.

“I chose Krezwick because of his public service experience,” McLaughlin said, also noting that Krezwick has a degree in public administration from Governors State University. “This is an 11-month appointment, and there are a lot of important issues coming up before the Legislature and you had better be in a position where you can hit the ground running.”

Among the “issues” McLaughlin noted were the state’s precarious financial situation and pension reform.

In addition to the guys at the bagel store, Krezwick told me he’s already talked with members of his American Legion post in Orland Park and will be talking a lot with local residents.

“Listen, I have a lot to learn and I admit it,” he said, adding that McCarthy has agreed to help him out. “But I’m excited about this, and I think you have to be full of zeal to do this kind of job.

“I just want to do some good and help this area. I’m not going to be giving away any state scholarships.

“I just want to go down there and try my best to do the right thing.”