Endorsement: Sandack in House Dist. 81, GOP

In the contentious GOP primary race for Illinois House District 81, a feisty challenger has characterized first-term incumbent Ron Sandack's voting as that of a "Mike Madigan Democrat." A closer look, though, shows Sandack's positions certainly have not been untenable. He voted for the pension reform bill, same-sex marriage and gambling expansion. Sandack, of Downers Grove, acknowledges the pension bill is only a first step, but an important one; his support of same-sex marriage, an acknowledged change of heart, was simply a reflection of acceptance that's occurring in his district and the nation. Sandack, who refused a pension, and has put forward a bill that would close the legislative pension system, preventing future lawmakers from receiving the benefit. Challenger Keith Matune, a teacher in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Downers Grove High School District 99 board member, suggests Sandack's pension refusal is an easy call for "a rich lawyer." Matune says his positions on pensions and same-sex marriage are more reflective of the views of the district. Sandack, in turn, points out, "If you're going to go to Springfield and you're going to be a hard-line, platform-rigid person, you're not going to get anything done." We agree. Sandack is endorsed.