North Cook News

Former state Rep. Lou Lang’s selection of lobbyist Yehiel Mark Kalish to replace him in the 16th House District was set even before Lang, a Democrat of Skokie, interviewed nearly 20 vying for the position, a source told North Cook News.

“The interviews (held Sunday) were all cut short, and the press release was ready to go and sent out minutes after he (Lang) held the last interview,” the source said.

Kalish was sworn in Sunday night.

Illinois State Capitol

North Cook News last week quoted a source that Lang would pick Kalish in exchange for Kalish’s lobbying clients; Lang retired two days before swearing in to join top lobbyist Nancy Kimme’s firm, Advantage Government Strategies.

But Kalish, a rabbi who is the chairman and CEO of S4Group, LLC, said that no such deal with Lang was in the works. He said that he was registered in Illinois to lobby for two pharmaceutical clients, but that he is “de-registering” from them shortly and that they will not be transferred to Lang.

Choosing Kalish was Lang’s call, the source said. He had proxy votes from both Democratic committeemen in the 16th district, Alderman Pat O’Connor (40th Ward) and former State Sen. Ira Silverstein.

“Not sure what O’Connor is getting, but Silverstein needs a job so he’s asking for a Cook County judgeship,” the source said.

Silverstein lost his primary race last year after being accused of harassment.

The Jewish newspaper Hamodia reported that Kalish is the first rabbi to take office in the Illinois legislature.

“Rabbi Kalish was a longtime employee of Agudath Israel of America. In 2002, he founded the Agudath Israel of America’s Chicago regional office and guided the organization’s expansion to several other states,” the paper said. “In 2010, he was appointed vice president for development and state relations for Agudath Israel of America.”

Kalish lives in the Chicago area with his wife and six children.

Lang, 69, announced his retirement just two days before the start of the new two-year session. He began his tenure in the House in 1987.

Lang resigned as deputy majority leader last May when a legislative activist accused him of sexual harassment.

The 16th includes Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and portions of neighboring Chicago.