Sen. Matt Murphy to give up Senate seat

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Republican from Illinois, Sen. Matt Murphy, said he is resigning effective Monday from his seat in the Senate.

The 46-year-old married father of four wiped away tears as he explained why he is resigning after 10 years in the Senate.

"It's a family decision. It's a financial decision," Murphy said. "My first priority has got to be to meet the responsibilities I feel I have to my wife and kids."

Murphy posted a resignation letter on his Facebook page on Friday.

A native of northwest suburban Palatine, Murphy was first elected in 2006. Four years later, he ran for lieutenant governor finishing second in the 2010 Republican primary.

Next week, the attorney will join a firm that lobbies state lawmakers.

"Two kids in college, two more on the way, the realities of the math just dictated that I needed to jump into the private sector," Murphy said.

Murphy was an oft-quoted Senate advocate for Gov. Bruce Rauner's "turnaround agenda." His resignation follows last month's resignation of Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove who was an outspoken Rauner supporter in the House.

Rauner insisted the departures of two key Republicans would not affect his agenda.

"We've got advocates on both sides of the aisle and I'm optimistic well get some good reforms done for the people of Illinois," Rauner said.

Sen. Sue Rezin said the resignations are not a sign that the Illinois GOP is in disarray.

"For many of us, this just is simply a personal decision," said Rezin.

As soon as he resigns, Murphy said he will get to work lobbying his former colleagues in Springfield.

"You do feel like you're letting people down," Murphy said. "But I've got to do what I've got to do for the people at home."