Jesiel retains in Illinois House District 61

Incumbent Republican Sheri Jesiel coasted to victory Tuesday for another 2-year term as state representative in the 61st District.

With all 70 precincts reporting, unofficial totals showed the Winthrop Harbor resident with 26,364 votes compared with 19,663 votes for Democratic challenger Nick Ciko of Lindenhurst.

Jesiel said she would oppose any tax increases until significant reforms are put in place at the state level and favored jump-starting the economy with legislation to attract and retain businesses. She also called for adequate and equitable funding for education, with charter schools as an option when public schools are failing.

Ciko, 42, works as a Mundelein Elementary District 75 teacher, a real estate broker and he serves on the Antioch-Lake Villa High School District 117 board.