State House Dist. 41: Nybo

On paper, the two men vying for the open District 41 seat in Illinois' House of Representatives seem rather similar.

Both cite job creation and restoring the state's fiscal health as top priorities. Both oppose a tax increase. Both lean to the right when it comes to social issues like abortion.

But two key ingredients set Republican Chris Nybo apart from his Democratic opponent Brian Stephenson.

The first is experience. The second is a realistic even harsh sense of what needs to be done in Springfield.

Nybo, an Elmhurst alderman, has already had to deal with government budgets and employee unions. He offers up more specifics than his opponent on ways to take on the state's pension mess.

Stephenson is an enthusiastic, well-meaning attorney who has created some impressive projects in his community.

That said, Springfield needs tough choices in tough times, and Nybo is better able to make them.