Endorsement: Sanalitro for Illinois House District 48
Incumbent Jennifer Sanalitro, running for her second term as state representative in the 48th District, is challenged by newcomer Maria Vesey.
Sanalitro, a Republican from Hanover Park, was first elected to the General Assembly in 2022. She prides herself on community involvement, volunteerism and listening to voters.
Her focus is keeping neighborhoods safe, helping working families and keeping taxes low. On criminal justice reform, Sanalitro says the DuPage County sheriff and state’s attorney tell her that cash bail is putting criminals back on the streets. That does not entirely align with recently published statistics, but we appreciate her desire for more police body camera funding. She also prioritizes safe storage of guns, background checks and appropriate state gun law training.
Along with Sanalitro’s experience, we like that she offers solid plans on issues facing her district and the state. She is a co-sponsor of HB 4431, which would end the senior road tests. She says next to tax relief, ending senior road tests is the top issue of her constituents.
Vesey, a Democrat from Itasca, doesn’t offer specifics on the issues she’d like to solve. She’s vague about why she’s running, stating her “vast array of life experience” would make her an effective legislator. But her lack of experience in public office concerns us, as does the lack of information on her website. She is passionate, and says we can “do better,” but she doesn’t elaborate. As for the age-mandated driving tests, Vesey says they shouldn’t change and to many seniors, they are a “badge of honor.”
Sanalitro has proven she can work across the aisle, has received bipartisan support and shows she listens to the people in her district on issues important, such as lowering taxes.
It’s important to note that Sanalitro was in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. She offered this explanation when we asked about it:
"I visited Washington for the first time and did not participate in any violence at the Capitol. I only learned about the horrific acts that transpired later, on my way back to my hotel. I do not and will never condone violence for any reason. Any person who rioted that day deserves to be punished by the fullest extent of the law."
Sanalitro says she believes Joe Biden won the 2020 election and is the legitimate president.
We agree with her statements and appreciate her candor. We hope to see more from her in Springfield. Sanalitro is endorsed.
The 48th district stretches from Bensenville on the east to Carol Stream on the west, picking up parts of Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Roselle and Bloomingdale along the way.