Endorsement: Jorgensen for DuPage County Coroner

DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen, a 12-year incumbent, faces a challenge from Judith Lukas in the upcoming general election.

Jorgensen, a Republican, is a trauma surgeon who created and managed a nine-surgeon, 25-employee surgical office practice before becoming coroner.

Lukas, a Democrat, is a registered nurse and a lifelong resident of DuPage County, and has served as a Winfield Township trustee.

Lukas expresses concern about substance abuse deaths and suicides, particularly among youths, and hopes to bring her public health background to the office, with a plan to educate middle and high school students on coping skills to combat what she says is a mental health crisis. She also wants to establish a forensic laboratory in the coroner’s office, similar to one being constructed in the Kane County Coroner’s office.

Jorgensen says there is not a need for an in-house forensics lab. He points to substantial improvements he’s made during his time in office, including converting the county’s paper record system to 100% electronic records. Under his guidance, he says, the office has handled a 50% increase in workload with increased efficiencies and procedures and without need to hire extra deputies. He says he’s been at the forefront of the fentanyl crisis, and his work with the NARCAN project has trained 7,000 first responders to save lives by carrying naloxone.

Lukas has admirable ideas about raising public awareness and reaching out to youths, but Jorgensen’s efforts to reduce overdose deaths have saved lives. Jorgensen is endorsed.