Ryg headed to victory in House District 59 race

Incumbent state Rep. Kathleen Ryg was headed for a clear victory Tuesday over her Republican opponent Daniel J. Sugrue. With ballots in 79 of 80 precincts in Lake and Cook counties counted unofficial results showed Ryg with 25,623 votes and Sugrue with 14,679 votes. The vote totals included some early voting, but not absentee or provisional ballots. Ryg, 56, a Vernon Hills Democrat, ran for re-election based on her record of bipartisan cooperation. Her campaign message focused on easing the political gridlock in Springfield and building a coalition with Republicans to develop solutions for property tax relief, transportation and transit, education funding reform and accountability, and affordable health-care coverage. Sugrue, 44, a Green Oaks attorney, said during the campaign Ryg, who has run unopposed since 2004, is part of the problem in Springfield and voters deserve a choice. The 59th District is in east-central Lake County and northern Cook County from Park City south to Green Oaks, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Wheeling.