Prairie State Wire

Republican state House candidate Peter Breen is already receiving what he views as on the job training.

“One of the things we’ve been trying to do during this COVID crisis is give people some positive assistance and just be as productive as we can be,” Breen told the Prairie State Wire. “I’ve always thought being a good public servant is all about doing whatever your constituents need most from you.”

Running against incumbent state Rep. Terra Costa-Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) in the 48th District, Breen said he’s taking on the challenge of helping people in the district who have been left jobless by the virus secure unemployment benefits for themselves amid all the issues with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“From what they tell me, they haven’t been able to get that kind of help from my opponent’s office, who as the actual representative should be the one providing it,” he said.

Breen said he’s also set to co-sponsor a food drive in the district with the Local Knights of Columbus on June 13.

“All the food pantries in the area are really running low and folks hit hard by this crisis need help and that’s what we’re trying to provide,” he said. “In the short term, we want to make sure people stay fed and their basic needs are being met.”

Breen said he’s also worked long and hard at trying to keep people up to speed on all that’s going on across the area with the virus, responses to it, and all the other pressing issues that have popped up in recent days.

“As a lawyer, I sometimes may have a little more access to information than some others and may be able to offer a little more clarity,” he said. “Again, it’s all just to be of service.”

Breen said he’s also proud of the role he was able to play in helping churches reopen and get back to holding as normal services as they can under the circumstances.

“We fought and were able to help get some of the restrictions lifted,” he said. “Since then, I’ve been helping to advise them on how to safely reopen. I think the spiritual support they provide the district, especially during times like these, is invaluable.”

While he’s been busy throughout the community, Breen argues Costa-Howard has largely been missing in action, hiding out and doing as little as she can.

“She has a district office that’s paid for by taxpayers, and yet no one sees much of her,” he said. “She’s doing nothing to help businesses reopen or to help people reclaim their lives.”