By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – State Rep. Keith Sommer is making his first public comments since winning re-election to another term representing the 88th District in the Illinois House.

The Morton Republican showed up at last week’s Unit 5 School Board meeting, seven days after fighting off a challenge from Democratic newcomer Jill Blair.

Sommer commended Blair for sticking to the issues. Like his colleague, long-time 105th District State Representative Dan Brady, Sommer faces the prospect of trying to get things done in a Democrat-dominated General Assembly and a Democratic governor.

Sommer said he’s worked with Democratic governors and will try to do so again.

“That’s my goal, to work with everyone. Always have done that across the aisle,” said Sommer.

“I understand that some opinions I might have don’t jell with what the administration may follow in the next four years, but there are other things I can work on for the benefit of my district.”

Sommer said most of the time, GOP and Democratic lawmakers agree on issues, but they don’t get much media attention.

“Ninety percent of the time, we talk about things that are of common interest to us, and we make those decisions,” Sommer also said.

The 88th District covers a large part of Bloomington, and also includes Morton and Washington, in Tazewell County.

Sommer, 72, has been in the legislature since 1999.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]