Endorsement: Neither candidate merits support in Senate Dist. 30
Democratic Illinois Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan is one of the prime movers on so-far-unsuccessful efforts to add a casino in Lake County and slot machines at Arlington Park as part of a larger gambling expansion package. While we're somewhat sympathetic to such goals, we have other reservations about Link's positions, especially his role as, at the very least, an active supporter of creating an unwanted and expensive Election Commission in Lake County. Nor can we endorse his opponent, Republican Gurnee Trustee Don Wilson, who is not up to speed on the many issues facing our troubled state. Link, a state senator since 1997 and head of the Lake County Democrats since 1992, voted to create a Lake County Election Commission in 2013 sneaked into a larger election bill. No one ever took credit for the measure. Republican Lake County Clerk Willard Helander, whose office handles elections, accused Link of being behind it, which he denied. The move surprised and outraged county government officials, who sued and lobbied for a repeal, which eventually happened. Even if he wasn't the originator, Link's avid support tor the unnecessary new layer of government suggests an egregious lack of concern for efficiency and transparency, not to mention local control. At a time when Illinois is desperate for change in the approach of its legislature, we cannot support him for yet another term. So, we make no endorsement in the Illinois Senate District 30 race.