Endorsement: Sean Morrison for Cook County Board Dist. 17

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

The race for the 17th District seat of the Cook County Board - representing mostly near West and Southwest suburbs but reaching up into parts of Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg - pits seven-year incumbent and security business owner Sean Morrison against eight-year Orland Park trustee and attorney Daniel Calandriello. The two of them alternately tout party lines and express moderate views, agreeing on as many things as they disagree on.

Morrison takes a strong stance against the policies of State's Attorney Kim Foxx, for "not properly charging criminals," while Calandriello also sees problems with prosecutions (he's a former prosecutor himself), though he focuses on proper funding.

Both commit to funding for police. Both talk about improving mental health efforts. Both talk about easing tax burdens for businesses and residents.

They do disagree on gun control measures, as per their parties' ideologies. Morrison is often accused of a combative approach as one of only two Republicans on the board, but there is evidence that he's agreed with Democrats on some things, too. We don't like that he has taken on some of the more extreme views of his party, but we also value a mix of parties on the county board, and Calandriello doesn't have the thorough ideas or knowledge of county business that Morrison does. Morrison is endorsed.