Daily Herald Editorial Board
Two newcomers seek the Republican nomination for the
56th District Illinois House seat left by Paul Froehlich, who is not
running for re-election.
Anita Forte-Scott, 40, is making her second try for the
seat, having lost to Froehlich in 2008 after he switched from the GOP
to the Democratic Party. Her opponent is attorney Ryan Higgins, 28, who
campaigned for Forte-Scott last time around.
The Daily Herald endorses Higgins for his backing of
several reform measures: term limits for legislative leaders and caps
on campaign contributions, including funds handed out by legislative
leaders. His thoughtful approach to rein in state spending includes
attacking Medicaid fraud and other Medicaid changes, capping the
cost-of-living increase and raising the retirement age for future
pension recipients, and considering zero-based budgeting, in which
every expense must be justified yearly.
However, Higgins says Illinois must right its financial mess without any tax increase, a position we find somewhat unrealistic.
Forte-Scott also favors measures to shed more light on
state finances, but ideas for a one-time sales tax holiday and doubled
income tax credit for property tax payments are ill-timed during the
state's budget crisis.
Re-elected to the Schaumburg Township Library Board in
April, Forte-Scott said at that time that her commitment was to that
seat only. We are troubled by her quick change of heart, as well as by
tax liens still pending for her business property in Elgin.
available at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=351312.