Jerry Costello II headed to state House

Eric Fodor

Democratic Party leaders in St. Clair, Monroe, Perry and Randolph counties have picked Jerry Costello II to fill the vacancy in the Illinois House created by the retirement of state Rep. Dan Reitz.

Democratic Party leaders in St. Clair, Monroe, Perry and Randolph counties have picked Jerry Costello II to fill the vacancy in the Illinois House created by the retirement of state Rep. Dan Reitz.

Costello is no stranger to politics -- he is the son of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville. The younger Costello, 42, is an Army veteran, former police officer and has worked as a financial adviser, according to The Associated Press.

There has been talk for a while of Costello ascending to the seat once Reitz retired.

If I can recall correctly without checking, Reitz spoke well of Costello after announcing his intention to leave the House.

Costello has a little bit of time to get accustomed to Springfield, find the executive washroom, learn to navigate the maze known as the Stratton Building and put up some pictures in his office before the fall veto session. The veto session could be trial by fire -- lots of issues arising from the spring session appear unsolved.