Forte-Scott, Higgins contend for 56th District nod

At its simplest, the 56th District state House Republican primary is between one candidate who's won the endorsement of the party and another who had it two years ago.

Ryan Higgins is a 28-year-old health care attorney who moved to Schaumburg in September 2008 and has received the backing of Schaumburg Township Republican Committeeman Mike Adelizzi and Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross.

Anita Forte-Scott, 40, is the administrator of a private preschool and day care center in Elgin and a second-term trustee of the Schaumburg Township District Library.

She is making her second run for state representative after being defeated by Democratic incumbent Paul Froehlich in 2008, and is also challenging Adelizzi for control of the Schaumburg Township Republican Organization.

One liability that came up in Forte-Scott's 2008 campaign that remains with her is tax liens on her business property in Elgin totaling $43,487.90, which she said she's working to resolve.

The Feb. 2 primary winner will face Democrat Michelle Mussman in November.

The 56th District includes Schaumburg and portions of Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Hanover Park and Bloomingdale.