Farnham, Munson already butting heads

The Nov. 2 election is more than half a year away, but the battle lines are being drawn in the race for the 43rd District state house seat.

Democrat Keith Farnham hopes to win another term this fall, and Republican Ruth Munson wants to get her old seat back.

Farnham thwarted Munson's attempt at a third term in November 2008 when he won by 322 votes.

While Farnham may have received help then from people voting for President Obama, the state's budget mess could weigh heavily on Democrats this time around.

Munson hopes so.

"We've got political leadership down there (in Springfield) right now that are really responsible and bare the blame for this mess. It's Mr. Farnham's party, and we have to take that into consideration," Munson said.

Farnham took his lumps this week from Elgin Area School District U-46 teachers upset about layoffs during a town-hall meeting at the Gail Borden Public Library.

The state owes millions to local school districts and its inability to pay its bills has forced U-46 to fire more than 1,000 employees.

Farnham, who paints himself as a freshman lawmaker who is willing to work with Republicans, and Munson both oppose increases in the state income tax help close the budget gap.

Farnham said he has worked to weed out unnecessary spending and that Gov. Pat Quinn has done the best he can under the circumstances.

He said new leaders like Michelle Saddler as the Secretary of the Department of Human Services have helped help trim costs. The threat of lawmakers of making cuts themselves also could prompt some action.

"No department is going to change until they feel that hand around their neck," Farnham said. "You throw more money at it and you're setting yourself up for a big disappointment."

Farnham says he is willing to work with the GOP and doesn't always vote in line with House Speaker Michael Madigan.

"It's consensus that we need now more than anything else," Farnham said. "I believe the Republicans have a lot of good ideas."

The 43rd House District includes parts of Elgin, South Elgin, East Dundee and Carpentersville.