Prochno says experience key to her presumed victory

Republican state House candidate and Elk Grove Village Trustee Christine K. Prochno will face Mark Walker of Arlington Heights, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, for the 66th District seat next November.

With 84 of 91 precincts reporting, Prochno had about 55 percent of the total, or 3,932 votes, while her opponent Laura Bartell of Arlington Heights captured about 45 percent, or 3,242 votes in unofficial election results.

Prochno stopped short of claiming victory late Tuesday, saying she was "feeling really good about it," while Bartell did not formally concede but did call Prochno, saying it looked like the election was trending in Prochno's favor.

Prochno said her projected win was due to her experience as a trustee. "I hope that the voters looked at the fact that I had the most experience," Prochno said.

Bartell had pitted her business savvy as a former investment banker against Prochno's 10-year government experience in the hopes of becoming the Republican candidate for the seat.

While the candidates agreed on many issues, they disagreed about the expansion of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport with Prochno against it and Bartell for it.

They also differed on how to handle health care. Bartell said she'd support monetary caps on malpractice lawsuits to keep insurance costs down.

Prochno said the state should take a closer look at health care reform. She added the state should be careful in its analysis to avoid approving medical programs that would need funding the state doesn't have.

The candidates were vying for the seat of longtime Republican state Rep. Carolyn Krause of Mount Prospect, who is not seeking another term.