Both candidates for the Illinois House in the 59th District have a strong record of civic service. Democrat Daniel Didech is a supervisor for Vernon Township. He helped to lower the township’s property tax levy by 5 percent. Republican Karen Feldman served as a Lincolnshire village trustee for seven years.

Didech, however, speaks with clarity about protecting health care reforms established by former President Barack Obama that now are under attack by President Donald Trump’s administration. He also leaves no doubt about his support for legislation aimed at curbing gun violence. Feldman is fuzzy on those key issues.

Didech is endorsed for this open seat in a district that includes Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and Mundelein.

Illinois House 59th District map

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In the general election two years ago, we offered no endorsement in this district.

This time around, Democratic incumbent state Rep. Sam Yingling of Grayslake declined to fill out a questionnaire and sit for an interview with us. But his opponent, Republican Ken Idstein of Grayslake, a senior loan officer, has failed to offer a credible array of policy proposals that might suggest he’d be an improvement.

Yingling, a former Avon Township supervisor, has worked to help consolidate redundant local governmental units, to make the job of Lake County assessor an elected position, and to increase property tax exemptions for homeowners, seniors and veterans. He is endorsed.

The 62nd Illinois House district.

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Republican Fredric Bryan “Rick” Lesser of Lake Bluff, an estate planning lawyer who replaced his party’s original candidate on the ballot, has a strong resume of public service as a village trustee and former president of a variety of local civic and business organizations. But Democrat Bob Morgan of Deerfield would be just the sort of lawmaker Springfield needs: thoughtful, knowledgeable, experienced and eager to work with legislators of both parties.

As associate general counsel in the office of then-Gov. Pat Quinn, Morgan was the lead attorney in implementing health care expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act. He also helped implement the state’s medical marijuana program. He would bring to the job a depth of knowledge about state government. Morgan favors a graduated Income tax, legalization of recreational marijuana, expanded casino gambling and a graduated income tax. He is endorsed.

Bob Morgan, Ill. House Nominee (D-58th), left, and Fredric Bryan “Rick” Lesser, Ill. House Nominee (R-58th) October 15, 2018. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

Illinois House 58th District map

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The Republican strategy in this race has been to drag House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, into it.

Incumbent Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit has been a highly effective legislator, and an extremely centrist Democrat, so about all that’s left for her critics is to bemoan that she has “supported” the unpopular Madigan.

In reality, Kifowit, a former Marine who served more than nine years on the Aurora City Council, has shown an independent streak, voting against budgets put forth by Democrats and for a property tax freeze. She understands the issues thoroughly — and she understands the strengths and limitations of the proposed solutions. We endorse Kifowit for a third term.

She is opposed by Patty Smith, a paralegal and resident of Aurora who once was named her city’s Volunteer of the Year.

Illinois House 84th District map

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State Rep. Natalie A. Manley of Joliet is known for her service to retirees in this southwest suburban district, home to three major retirement communities. 

Public health is among her top priorities. Manley successfully pushed legislation to require more thorough reporting on the care that residents receive in veterans’ homes. She also sponsored legislation requiring schools to better train teachers to recognize suicidal behavior and other signs of mental health crises in young people. Manley wants to expand mental health services statewide — if only the state had the money.

Manley’s opponent, Republican Alyssia Benford of Bolingbrook, is a certified public accountant, just like Manley. Benford said she wouldn’t have voted for the income tax hike in 2017, which passed with a “yes” vote from Manley. But Benford offers no substantive alternatives to help dig Illinois out of its financial mess.

We endorse Manley.    

Illinois House 98th District map

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Incumbent Democrat Anna Moeller of Elgin was among a bipartisan group of legislators who quietly came together in 2017 and worked to end an impasse that had left the state without a budget for two years. Reasonable people cheered on reasonable legislators, Moeller included, who wanted to end the stupidity.

Moeller, a former member of the Elgin City Council and the founding executive director of the McHenry County Council of Governments, supports creating a state board empowered to ensure that insurance companies are not pocketing excessive profits on workers’ compensation premiums. Of all the proposed tinkering to our state’s workers’ compensation rules, that’s exactly the place to start.

Republican candidate and small business owner Andrew R. Cuming of Elgin, who considers himself a libertarian, also is running.

Andrew R. Cuming, Ill. House Nominee (R-43rd), and Democratic nominee and incumbent Anna Moeller. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times

The Illinois 43rd House district.

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Democratic incumbent Fred Crespo likes to cross party lines, at least back home in his northwest suburban district, working with local mayors — many of them Republican — to produce what he calls “deliverables.”

“I’m not that partisan,” he said with a shrug in an endorsement interview. “I work with both sides.”

Most recently, Crespo worked to secure more business for Schaumburg’s convention center and Renaissance Hotel — and helped win a full tollway interchange at Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates. He helped arrange financial assistance for construction of a much-needed Alexian Brother’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

Crespo has represented the 44th District for 11 years, and we see no reason he shouldn’t go on. He is endorsed. Also running is Republican Katy Dolan Baumer, the Hanover Township clerk, who first took on Crespo two years ago and lost.

Illinois House 44th District map

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