Illinois Senate districts 26, 27 and 30
State Senate District 26
Republican Dan M. Duffy, a Lake Barrington data consultant, and Democrat Bill Gentes, mayor of Round Lake, face off to replace retiring Republican state Sen. William Peterson.
Duffy, a board member for the Illinois branch of the National Federation of Independent Business, opposes Illinois' failed gross receipts tax and a plan for payroll taxes to fund universal health care. He's against CN Railway's purchase of the EJ&E Railway and opposes additional gambling casinos. Gentes wants more state funding of schools to cut property taxes. He opposes the EJ&E sale but favors up to three more casinos, including one in Waukegan.
Dan Duffy earns our support for his advocacy of Illinois businesses and for his grasp of issues facing our state. His ideas for handling finances - a Web site where you could view every check written by state government? - add a refreshing voice to widespread calls for reform.
State Senate District 30
Three-term Democratic state Sen. Terry Link is challenged by Republican Keith T. Gray, the Mettawa owner of an environmental consulting company who is in his first statewide race.
Link sponsored the statewide smoking ban. He favors a casino in Waukegan and possibly elsewhere. He aspires to be Senate president and says he would be independent of both Gov. Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan. Gray wants to reverse recent tax increases on business and improve transportation. He favors CN Railway's purchase of the EJ&E and says more casinos might be "a necessary evil" at tourist sites, but not Waukegan.
We endorse Sen. Terry Link, a dedicated representative of his district, though the arrest of two campaign workers for falsifying nominating petitions gives us pause. Link, who is not charged and cooperated with prosecutors, calls his failure to examine the petitions "the biggest mistake I've made." We hope it's a lesson learned.
State Senate District 27
Voters have a choice between two passionate, dedicated candidates - incumbent Republican Matt Murphy of Palatine and Democrat Peter Gutzmer of Hoffman Estates. Both oppose slots at Arlington Park, say Chicago is the best place for any new casino, and put a priority on attracting businesses and paying the state's pension obligations. Sen. Matt Murphy is our clear choice because he has shown he can work across party lines and yet stands alone if need be. He should be given the chance to continue to benefit the 27th District and Illinois.