For 54th District GOP: Bassi

The 54th District House Republican race pits six-term incumbent Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi against businessman Thomas R. Morrison.

Morrison, 34, owner of ServPro Industries in Elk Grove Village, shares many viewpoints with Bassi, 64, a former high-school teacher.

Both Palatine residents stand firmly against raising taxes to solve Illinois' massive budget shortfall, but Morrison carries it one step further, saying he would never vote to increase taxes. Both have budget-cutting plans, with Medicaid overhaul, a two-tier pension system and changes in health care premiums for state employees appearing on both lists.

A few key issues separate the two candidates. Morrison opposes abortion except when the mother's life is at risk, while Bassi said government should stay out of the bedroom. Morrison opposes any gambling expansion, while Bassi opposes video gambling but would consider slot machines at racetracks.

Yet, the real difference is in experience, and that is why the Daily Herald endorses Bassi.

Morrison has yet to hold elected office, while Bassi has spent two decades answering to voters, beginning as a Palatine Elementary District 15 trustee in 1987. She introduced a measure to restrict free public transit rides to low-income seniors and favors immediate reporting of political donations. Not a fan of caps on campaign contributions, she nonetheless said any limits must be applied to Illinois' legislative leaders as well as others. We also take a dim view of Morrison campaign statements greatly overstating the number of "present" votes Bassi recorded on bills before the Illinois House between 2000 and 2004. The documents he cites, which come from a previous candidate's 2004 campaign against Bassi, do not represent her final votes.

The 54th District includes parts of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, Inverness and Barrington.