Third hopeful seeks to replace Hastert

Voters in the 14th Congressional District could have another option when they hit the polls Nov. 4.

Libertarian Dan Druck of Huntley announced Monday that, pending signatures of support, he will vie for retired U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert's old post.

"We have a Constitution, and it's been grossly circumvented," Druck said in a telephone interview Monday. "A lot of the things the federal government has its fingers in are things that should be handled by the states or even the county governments."

He continued: "Government is not a very effective delivery system. It's very wasteful. The federal government was never created to handle the volume of issues it handles. It's imploding on itself."

In a news release, Druck criticized Rep. Bill Foster of Geneva -- who is serving out Hastert's term after winning March's special election -- as a "big-spending Democrat" who will raise taxes, expand an already bloated government, and push for government-run health care.

Druck also blasted businessman and Republican candidate Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove for his support of the Iraq war and other Bush administration policies.

The next seven weeks should determine whether Druck can get his name on the ballot -- he needs 10,000 valid petition signatures by June 23. With perhaps 1,000 signatures so far, it is a lofty but attainable goal, said Ken Prazak, Druck's campaign manager.

Although the signatures must come from within the district, Prazak said the campaign could get some national help via an Internet campaign. Donations could be used to hire paid petitioners, Prazak said.

"We're going to make it, one way or the other," Druck said. "It's tough, though. It's really tough."

Druck is a central Illinois native, a military veteran, and has lived in the area since 1980. He owns his own business that develops health and fitness centers for hospitals.