Endorsement: Morrison for state Senate in District 29
In two previous terms as state senator from the 29th District, Democrat Julie Morrison, of Deerfield, has shown herself to be a conscientious, hard-working and independent voice in Springfield. She was one of only four suburban Democrats who bucked the party this spring and refused to support a budget put forth by the House that was billions of dollars out of balance. She is a chief sponsor of legislation calling for a constitutional amendment setting term limits for legislative leaders, is an outspoken supporter of redistricting reform, opposes a tax increase until the state shows better control of its spending, and has actively worked for improvement on such critical issues as pension reform, education policy and substance abuse.
Her Republican challenger, Benjamin Salzberg of Highland Park, is an earnest newcomer with elected experience as a member of the Oakton Community College Board of Trustees. He insists he'll keep his Oakton position if he wins a legislative seat, which troubles us in itself. But he also appears to be running more against Michael Madigan in the House and Democratic leadership in general than against Morrison. Providing a challenge to the Democratic leadership in our crippled state is certainly a reasonable platform, but it also needs to be complemented by a thorough knowledge of and well-developed positions on the issues facing the state. On that score, Salzberg has some development to do, and there's certainly a case to be made for the type of change that someone like Morrison can bring to the Democratic Party from within.
Morrison has served the district well in two terms, and has demonstrated a willingness to stand up to leadership in the interests of the state. She is endorsed.