Endorsements: Perez for Senate D42; Rodriguez for House D83; Scopa for House D84

No matter the outcome of the election, Illinois Senate District 42 will see a change of representation come November. After winning the March primary, longtime Democratic incumbent Linda Holmes of Aurora announced in June that she will be retiring due to progressive health issues.

The two contestants in the race — retired Batavia police officer Edgardo “Eddie” Perez, the Republican, and longtime Bolingbrook teacher Jared Ploger, the Democrat, both of Aurora — come into it from careers in community service, and in particular, devotions to improving young lives that are downright inspiring. Despite their sharp differences in political philosophy, it is clear to us that each candidate is genuinely committed to trying to help make the world a better place. 

In addition to his work in law enforcement, Perez has used his interest in martial arts to support at-risk youth. In addition to teaching, Ploger served previously on the Oswego Unit District 308 school board. Kudos to them both.

Neither is a perfect candidate. Perez's expertise is a little too law enforcement-centric and he's not as astute as he needs to be on other issues. We're concerned that Ploger's role as president of Valley View Council Local 604 of the American Federation of Teachers presents inevitable conflicts in dealing with the state's significant public pension issues. But we are impressed by Perez's personal story and how his experience has taught him to see issues as gray rather than black and white. He wants to fight past our divisions and to be a unifying legislator. That's no small task, but he should be given a chance to try. We endorse his candidacy.

In House District 83, Democratic incumbent Matt Hanson, a former Kane County Board member from Montgomery, is running for his third term against Republican Jesse Rodriguez, a small-business owner from Aurora. Hanson's performance in Springfield has been adequate but not distinguished. Rodriguez got into the race out of his frustrations with Springfield's approach to small business. His campaign is centered on improving the business climate and restraining government overreach. He has our endorsement.

For the House District 84 seat now held by Stephanie Kifowit, Democratic DuPage County Board member Saba Haider of Aurora is running against Republican Brian Scopa, a retired U.S. Navy commander from Naperville. Haider possesses great energy, but she seems relentlessly looking toward the next office. It was only two years ago that she was elected to the county board on her second try (after previously running for a school board). We suggest she focus for now on completing her county board term. Scopa is thoughtful and measured with a campaign message that he's “the discipline Springfield is missing.” He strikes us as the kind of Republican the General Assembly could use, and we endorse his candidacy.