Higgins deserves GOP nod in 56th District

Two newcomers seek the Republican nomination for the 56th District Illinois House seat left by Paul Froehlich, who is not running for re-election.

Anita Forte-Scott, 40, is making her second try for the seat, having lost to Froehlich in 2008 after he switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party. Her opponent is attorney Ryan Higgins, 28, who campaigned for Forte-Scott last time around.

The Daily Herald endorses Higgins for his backing of several reform measures: term limits for legislative leaders and caps on campaign contributions, including funds handed out by legislative leaders. His thoughtful approach to rein in state spending includes attacking Medicaid fraud and other Medicaid changes, capping the cost-of-living increase and raising the retirement age for future pension recipients, and considering zero-based budgeting, in which every expense must be justified yearly.

However, Higgins says Illinois must right its financial mess without any tax increase, a position we find somewhat unrealistic.

Forte-Scott also favors measures to shed more light on state finances, but ideas for a one-time sales tax holiday and doubled income tax credit for property tax payments are ill-timed during the state's budget crisis.

Re-elected to the Schaumburg Township Library Board in April, Forte-Scott said at that time that her commitment was to that seat only. We are troubled by her quick change of heart, as well as by tax liens still pending for her business property in Elgin.