Downers Grove South High School Principal Edward H. Schwartz welcomed guests to the ceremony and Associate Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh of the 18th Judicial Circuit administered the oath of office. In his personal remarks, Olsen said he is excited to begin this new chapter as the voice of the people of District 81. “I am honored to serve the people of the 81st District in Springfield as your State Representative,” said Olsen. He also noted, “It’s particularly appropriate that I am sworn in at my own former high school- which provided the foundation for my successes and public service. Education is the foundation of opportunity for all Illinoisans, and I intend to fight for local control and full funding for our vitally-important schools.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) also spoke at the ceremony and wished their new colleague well as he joins the Republican caucus in Springfield. “I am pleased to welcome David Olsen to the Illinois General Assembly,” Durkin said. “David has done a terrific job at the local level as a member of the Downers Grove Village Council, and most recently, as vice chairman on the College of DuPage Board. He is intelligent, professional and well-liked. He has proven to be a strong leader and public servant. I know he will do a great job for his constituents as a State Representative.”
A long-time resident of Downers Grove, Olsen grew up in the 81st District and attended local public schools. He later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned degrees in Finance and Management. At the University of Illinois, he was an honors student, served as Student Body President, and was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist. He was appointed in February to serve as a College of DuPage Trustee and Board Vice Chairman, and will remain in that role until his term expires in Spring of 2017. Olsen also served as a member of the Downers Grove Village Council from 2013 until earlier today, when he resigned that position in anticipation of taking his oath of office for the General Assembly.
Olsen works as an ethics and compliance officer and volunteers in the community as a member of the Board of Directors for the District 58 Education Foundation and as an active member of the local chamber of commerce. He is a member of Friendship United Methodist Church of Bolingbrook, where he has served as co-leader of the eighth grade confirmation class and as a member of the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. He also serves as a committee chairman for local Boy Scout Troop 35.
Olsen’s district office will be located at 633 Rogers Street, Suite 108, in Downers Grove. The phone number will be (630) 737-0504.