Illinois Republican Robert J. Schillerstrom, an elected official in the Chicago suburbs, is taking steps to seek the governorship in next year’s election.

Schillerstrom, the longtime chairman of the DuPage County Board, told The Chicago Tribune that he will today announce an “exploratory” campaign for the governorship.

Schillerstrom told the Tribune that the state needs “somebody who is willing to go in there and make difficult decisions–decisions that have long-term ramifications instead of just taking a look at what’s convenient, what’s politically expedient.”