Sources: CP staff; Ozinga for Congress Campaign, Mokena, Ill.; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.
Marty Ozinga, who heads key Chicago market ready mixed producer Ozinga Brothers Inc., plans to announce April 30 his bid as the Republican candidate for Illinois' 11th Congressional district. His opponent for the seat, held by retiring, seven-term GOP Rep. Jerry Weller, is Illinois Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete).

With a firm grasp of business management, blue-collar work, and community service, Ozinga figures to have strong appeal in a district spanning south Chicago suburbs and north central Illinois farming communities. He has served as Ozinga Bros. president since 1985, and general manager for 12 years prior. Since he first worked a broom as a summer yard hand in the mid-1960s, the family-owned entity has grown from a modest operator on Chicago's periphery to a 30-plant, northern Illinois and Indiana powerhouse. While building what would become the industry's largest independent operation, Ozinga engaged in benevolent projects advancing recreation for inner-city youth and substance abuse recovery for adults in Michigan and Illinois. Overseas, he has worked first hand to promote disease prevention and modern medicine in Africa, Eastern Europe and India.

A Web site, www.martyozinga.com, been launched for campaign updates and contributions. ConcretePAC, the political action committee of National Ready Mixed Concrete Association--of which Ozinga Bros. is a long-time member--will host an Ozinga for Congress Campaign fundraiser during the NRMCA Government Affairs Fly-In this fall in Washington, D.C.