Ryan Spain

Rebuilding downtowns a key interest for Ryan Spain

When it comes to small towns, Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said, “I love downtowns and am passionate about making downtowns succeed.”

For Spain, his background in economic development intersects with his work in the Illinois House of Representatives.

“My entire career has been centered around helping local businesses thrive,” Spain said. “Before being elected to the Illinois House, I began my career working at the Heartland Partnership where I helped manage an important project to create a small business incubator, literally on Main Street, in my hometown of Peoria. My father was already a dedicated and longtime Main Street business owner, having run The Costume Trunk through decades of hustle and long hours.”

Investing in and rebuilding great downtowns is part of what piques Spain’s interest in the communities he will serve under the new legislative map, which is effective in January.

“Under the new map, I am so excited to be picking up several great downtowns, with particularly exciting opportunities in Princeton,” said Spain about the new communities he will represent in the Illinois House beginning in January.

As Illinois has a part-time citizen legislature, Spain is employed at OSF Healthcare System as the Vice President of Economic Development, but he spends the rest of his time meeting with and advocating for constituents and employers in his district which stretches from Peoria County on the southern end of the district to Whiteside County in the northwest. While Bureau County represented less than 5 percent of the population of the 73rd District under the previous legislative map, it now represents more than 20 percent of the population in the new boundaries of the 73rd District.

“All the building blocks are here for success, and we just need good leadership and a favorable jobs climate to make even more progress. Creating a favorable jobs climate is a top need to grow jobs in Illinois and save our downtowns in Illinois,” Spain continued.

“That’s part of why I always try to lead by example, rejecting a legislative pension and healthcare benefits for my service in the legislature,” Spain explained. “When I am out recruiting employers to come to this district, I want them to know I am not in this role for self-service, but for public service. Every partnership must begin with trust and investors in Illinois communities want to see that principle of leading by exam-

ple as much as voters.” Asked about spending time in Princeton’s historic downtown, Spain said he loves Princeton and hosted a meet and greet downtown this spring and he participated in the 2022 Homestead Parade. He said he looks forward to serving voters in Bureau County and helping with problems with state agencies and services. “Constituent service is my most important priority. I look forward to helping Bureau County residents tackle challenges with the State of Illinois and state agencies, which is a part of the job I find very rewarding,” Spain said. Spain and his wife Ashley have two young daughters, Ryan Spain Vivienne and Eleanor, and live in Peoria. He has served as State Representative of the 73rd District since January 2017. He serves as an Assistant House Republican Leader and the Chairman of the House Republican Majority Committee.