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Wheeler defeats Mains in District 64

Republican state Rep. Barbara Wheeler handily dispatched her opponent in the 64th House District race Tuesday.

With all 38 precincts in Lake County and 49 precincts in McHenry County reporting, Wheeler garnered 20,284 votes, or more than 69 percent, in unofficial tallies against Democrat Joel Mains, who had 8,943 votes.

"It's been an education and I've enjoyed the whole process," said Mains. "And a lot can happen between now and 2016."

On the issues, Mains and Wheeler, both Crystal Lake residents, disagreed about raising the state's minimum wage from $8.25 an hour. Gov. Pat Quinn has suggested the minimum pay should be at least $10 an hour, saying the extra income would trickle down to boost local economies.

Wheeler said she's against raising the minimum wage, contending an improved state economy would allow businesses to make more money and raise employee pay on their own. Mains said he favored increasing the minimum because someone who works a full-time job deserves enough money to pay for food, clothing and shelter.

They also differed on whether the 2011 state income tax increase should be extended or made permanent. The state's 5 percent tax rate is scheduled to revert to 3.75 percent at year's end. Wheeler said state government has a spending problem, and the 5 percent income tax rate shouldn't continue. Mains said expiration should be revisited.

All votes are considered unofficial until provisional ballots can be counted in the next two weeks.

District 64 includes Crystal Lake, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, Johnsburg, Bull Valley, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake.

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.

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