DIXON – State Sen. Kirk Dillard, who has announced his candidacy for Illinois governor, will be the keynote speaker at tonight’s 24th annual Reagan Day dinner at the Dixon Elks Lodge, 1279 Franklin Grove Road.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, also will attend.

Dillard, now assistant GOP leader in the Senate, began his political career working for Senate Republican leader David “Doc” Shapiro of Amboy. Before becoming a state senator, he was Gov. Jim Edgar’s chief of staff. He still makes frequent visits to Lee County, Lee County Republican Central Committee President Greg Witzleb said in a news release announcing the dinner.