Sandack gains new term in 81st House

Republican incumbent Ron Sandack of Downers Grove retained his 81st state House district seat, claiming 60 percent of the vote in a contest against Democrat Elizabeth "Liz" Chaplin, according to unofficial election results.

With all 100 precincts reporting, results show Sandack will be returning to represent a district that includes parts of Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Westmont and Woodridge.

Sandack, a 50-year-old attorney, said he hopes the election will create an "environment for balance and compromise and shared responsibility" among lawmakers.

He said voters in the 81st District showed they favored his views on taxes and spending over his opponent's positions.

"Clearly the economics differences between me and my opponent were pretty defined," Sandack said Tuesday night. "I think the district's voters don't like the income tax increase, they don't like the progressive income tax. They want Springfield to budget far more differently to make ends meet, to spend less."

Other priorities that Sandack mentioned include implementing term limits, improving the redistricting process and changing state law to prevent property taxes from increasing when property values decrease.

Sandack has held the 81st District seat for the last two years. Before that, he served as 21st District state senator, Downers Grove mayor and a member of the Downers Grove Village Council.