Bill Houlihan elected chair of Sangamon County Democratic Party
Longtime Democratic Party leader Bill Houlihan was elected chair of the Sangamon County Democratic Party Wednesday night at the monthly meeting of central committee members held virtually.
Houlihan, who currently serves as the state director for U.S. Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin, will serve out the rest of the term until April 2022. That's when the next county convention is scheduled.
Houlihan succeeds first vice chair Dan Kovats, who assumed the chairmanship following the resignation Doris Turner. Turner is now a state senator representing the 48th District.
See also: With Turner's resignation formal, Langfelder begins replacement process
Houlihan previously served as county chairman from 1988 to 1994.
Houlihan was elected by acclimation of precinct committeepersons Wednesday.
"It is an exciting time to be a Democrat in Sangamon County," said Houlihan in a prepared statement. "We have seen some tremendous gains over the last few elections, and we are poised for even bigger gains in the future. I am honored to have the confidence of our hard-working Democratic precinct committeepersons.
"There is a lot of work to do as our community recovers from COVID-19. I am confident that, with the help of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, that Democrats will lead the way."
Houlihan serves as the state central committeeman (IL 18th) for the Democratic Party of Illinois. In 2017, Houlihan was honored by the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association with the Democratic Party Builder Award.
Prior to serving as state director for Durbin, Houlihan served as downstate director for U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, D-Chicago, and chief of staff to the late State Senate President Phil Rock.
The longtime precinct committeeperson for Capital Township Precinct 86 lives in Springfield with his wife, Cindy.