Rhys Read for Illinois House District 56
A certified public accountant by training who spent his career reading every line of the budget — fighting to cut property taxes, restore fiscal discipline in Springfield, and keep our Des Plaines-area communities safe and thriving.
Rhys Read is a certified public accountant by training who spent his career as a corporate controller and treasurer, including running a major pension fund — the person responsible for keeping the books accurate, the budgeting honest, and long-term obligations fully funded. He knows what it takes to manage other people's money responsibly, because he did it for decades. Rhys has also given his time to the community, including nine years on the board of the Des Plaines Public Library as its finance committee chairman, where he helped provide fiscal oversight of a public tax levy on behalf of the taxpayers who fund it.
“I've spent my career reading the numbers so leaders could make honest decisions. Illinois families deserve the same in Springfield.”
Rhys has always been an independent-minded, taxpayers-first voice — someone who has judged every candidate and every budget on the merits, not on party loyalty. That independence is exactly what he'll bring to the Illinois House: a fiscal conservative who reads the fine print, asks hard questions, and answers to the people of District 56, not to Springfield insiders. Outside of public service, Rhys is a longtime civic volunteer and an active leader in Illinois competitive chess, where he has spent years teaching patience, strategy, and the discipline to think several moves ahead — the same approach he'll bring to fixing our state's finances.
Four priorities for Illinois House District 56 — grounded in a career of reading budgets, not political talking points.
Illinois homeowners pay among the highest property taxes in the entire country. Rhys will fight in Springfield to cap unsustainable growth, close wasteful spending, and give homeowners and seniors real relief — not another gimmick.
A certified public accountant by training who spent his career balancing real budgets, Rhys knows the difference between an honest number and a Springfield gimmick. He'll demand balanced budgets, real accounting discipline, and an end to kicking the can down the road.
Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
High taxes and heavy-handed government push employers, families, and even our iconic Illinois institutions to look elsewhere. Rhys will work to keep our state competitive — so businesses, good jobs, and the teams and traditions we love have every reason to stay, grow, and invest right here at home.
Strong local schools, safe neighborhoods, and reliable services are what make Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, and Hoffman Estates great places to raise a family. Rhys will fight to protect and strengthen them.
Spent his career as a CPA reading every line of a budget.
Served as Treasurer & Controller of a major pension fund, managing other people's money responsibly.
Fiscal oversight of a public tax levy on the Des Plaines Public Library board.
Volunteer leader with the Illinois Chess Association — strategy, patience, discipline.
“brings valuable financial experience to his challenge”
“He supports pension reform, property tax relief and stronger oversight of government misconduct, and is opposed to new taxes. Good.”
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, “Editorial: Rhys Read for Illinois 56th House District.” Read the full editorial.
“The biggest fiscal issue we have is the $140 billion unfunded pension liability which will bankrupt the state.”
“We can no longer have these unsustainable pensions where some people are getting over half a million dollars a year.”
At the League of Women Voters forum for the 56th District, Rhys set out where he stands on state finances and immigration. Read the Daily Herald’s coverage.
Come meet Rhys across Illinois House District 56 and beyond. Details are added as they are confirmed.
Wednesday, October 28. Palatine.
Saturday, October 31. Park Ridge.
District 56 flips when neighbors talk to neighbors. Here's how to help.
Knock doors, make calls, host a yard sign, or join us at community events across Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, and Hoffman Estates. Every hour matters in a race this close to home.
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Questions, ideas, or want to help elect Rhys? Reach the campaign directly.
Call or text the campaign: (847) 497-5021