Nathan Reitz

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The son of a former state legislator has been named to fill an Illinois House vacancy.

The (Belleville) News-Democrat reports that Democratic Party chairmen in four southwestern Illinois counties tabbed Nathan Reitz of Steeleville to complete the unexpired term of Democrat Jerry Costello II of Smithton.

Reitz is the son of former Rep. Dan Reitz of Steeleville, who was a House Democrat from 1997 until he resigned in 2011. Costello completed his term.

Costello stepped down this week when Gov. J.B. Pritzker named him director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He is the son of former U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello.

The younger Costello was the House Democrats’ strongest 2nd Amendment advocate. Reitz indicated in a statement that gun-owners’ rights are a priority.