Endorsement: Jesiel in House District 61

Republican state Rep. Sheri Jesiel of Winthrop Harbor is competing against Democrat Nick Ciko of Lindenhurst in Illinois House District 61. We endorse Jesiel over Ciko, a Mundelein Elementary District 75 teacher, real estate broker and Antioch-Lake Villa High School District 117 board member who did not participate in the Daily Herald endorsement process or complete a candidate questionnaire.

Jesiel has helped bring about a deal to privatize part of the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach Marina to try to boost slip rentals and aid the local economy. She favors changing public pension benefits in Illinois to cut costs, though not for employees who are near retirement. She said she opposes a state tax increase but called a tax on services "fairly reasonable" as part of a budget compromise that also includes some of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's pro-business changes.

As a practical lawmaker, Jesiel has our backing in Illinois House District 61.