disappeared, raising questions because he’s so vocal on the platforms. He was finishing a second term in the Illinois House after a stint in the Illinois Senate.

“I have always recognized there is no greater privilege than being a father and husband,” he said in the statement. “My duties in Springfield has meant missing a lot of events in the lives of my children. I am no longer willing to miss important family events.”

Still, Sandack’s departure from the Illinois House is a surprising one for a lawmaker in a high-profile role. As a floor leader on the Illinois House, he’s often one of the first GOP lawmakers to engage with Democrats during debates, sharply questioning their proposals.

Sandack became an early Republican to support same-sex marriage, a position that landed him with a 2014 primary opponent he narrowly defeated.

He was set to face Democrat Greg Hose of Downers Grove in the November election. Local Republican leaders will be able to pick someone to finish his term.

Sandack’s departure comes as a stopgap Illinois budget has put the spending war between Rauner and Democrats on hold, and it assures he won’t be around after the election for what could be a crucial debate over taxes and the governor’s policy agenda.