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Top-Ranking GOP Illinois State Lawmaker Ron Sandack Resigns

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS/AP) -- Top-ranking Republican state Rep. Ron Sandack says he's resigning from the Illinois House, citing "cyber security issues."

Sandack has used Facebook and Twitter accounts, but both appeared to have been taken down Monday morning.

"It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of the 81st District for the past four years in Springfield. But after some cyber security issues arose, I began to re-evaluate my continued public service," the House Republican floor leader from Downers Grove said in the statement released late Sunday through a House GOP spokeswoman.

Sandack could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press for further comment.

A Republican state senator says he takes Sandack's explanation at face value.

There has been speculation that there's more to the story about Representative Sandack's abrupt resignation.

WBBM's Steve Miller

"He started talking about it within the last month and there was apparently a cascade of events," Republican state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine tells WBBM's Steve Miller. "I think the important thing to understand is: Cumulatively you take a lot of hits in this job.  And was this the final straw? And I guess in his case, it was."

Murphy spoke to reporters after an event in the Loop, where Gov. Rauner called for the legislature to approve term limits. The governor took no questions.

The statement says Sandack's resignation is effective Sunday. He had been up for re-election against Democratic attorney Greg Hose. Sandack said he would work with his replacement to ensure he or she is elected in November.

Sandack also said he wants to spend more time with family.

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

Sandack is a partner in a Chicago law firm. He was appointed to the state Legislature in 2010.

(Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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