Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner ally Matt "Guitar" Murphy to resign from Illinois Senate

A northwest suburban state senator who provided a strong voice for the Republican agenda in the Democrat-controlled legislature is expected to resign effective Monday, GOP sources said Thursday.

Sen. Matt Murphy, of Palatine, who won election to the Senate in 2006 and quickly became a deputy GOP leader, will become a contract lobbyist, the sources said.

Murphy, 46, is a personal injury and workers' compensation attorney who was not on the ballot this fall. The sources, who asked not to be named ahead of a formal retirement announcement, said Murphy believed the time was right to leave the General Assembly and help his family, which includes four children.

During his tenure, Murphy was an outspoken critic of the Democratic control of the legislature, particularly on budgetary and procedural matters.

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