Higgins for House 56

Republican Ryan Higgins and Democrat Michelle Mussman both support aggressive job creation, fiscal restraint and oppose tax increases; both would cut legislative pay; both believe solutions in Springfield must be bipartisan.

The two engaging, hardworking candidates are trying to replace retiring state Rep. Paul Froehlich. Higgins, a 29-year-old health care attorney from Schaumburg and former staffer for U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, is narrowly endorsed, largely because of his command of the state's financial situation and the thought he has given to solutions.

It is encouraging that Mussman, a 38-year-old Schaumburg mother and community volunteer, names independent-minded state Rep. Elaine Nekritz as a role model. Still, we question how independent Mussman can afford to be when most of her money is presently coming from the party and its leaders.