Schmidt defeats Bond for 31st Senate seat

Republican Lake County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt is stepping up to statewide office.

Schmidt, 59, of Lake Villa, topped Democratic state Sen. Michael Bond for the 4-year, Senate District 31 seat that was up in Tuesday's election. Bond was elected to his first term in 2006.

With all 170 precincts counted, unofficial totals show Schmidt took 34,046 votes to Bond's 29,593. The 31st Senate District covers most of northern Lake County

Schmidt said she believes her track record of fiscal responsibility in Lake County government helped to propel her over Bond. Schmidt said she'll resign her job as county board chairwoman before she's sworn in as state senator.

“I've been around a while,” Schmidt said. “People know me. I worked very hard.”

During the campaign, Schmidt said her experience in passing balanced budgets over the years on the Lake County Board will serve her well in the General Assembly.

Bond refused to answer questions, but he issued a statement after his loss.

“I'm proud of my record in the state senate and look forward to being an active member of the community,” said Bond, a former Woodland Elementary District 50 board member. “My reason for running for office was to make my community a better place for my family and my neighbors and I know I accomplished that.”

In his campaign, Bond said voters needed to ask themselves who would best have the ability to help Lake County. He touted his role in acquiring at least $300 million in state funding for county road projects since his 2006 election.

On the issue of the state's budget crisis and trimming $13 billion in debt, Schmidt said one avenue she will pursue is seeking an audit of the All Kids health care program.

Schmidt said she will push for steps to be taken to remove more than 90,000 participants on the taxpayer-subsidized All Kids insurance who are above the federal poverty level or are illegal immigrants.

Bond offered a money-saving idea of locating more state offices in Springfield instead of Chicago. He said money on building leases and salaries could be saved by concentrating the offices in Springfield.

Schmidt and Bond agreed tax increases are not the way to solve the state's budget woes.