Endorsement: Osmond over Erwin in 61st House District

JoAnn Osmond took the House seat of her late husband, Tim, in 2002 during the Blagojevich era, a difficult time for Republicans. Things haven’t improved much for her party, but Osmond, an Antioch resident now seeking her sixth term, forges ahead with optimism, noting that the latest General Assembly session saw some bipartisan successes. She stands firm against fraud in government programs and is concerned about the tax burden on Illinois businesses, especially since the 2011 corporate tax increase has been in place. She demonstrates an understanding of the 61st District and its residents, including the new eastern portions. Because she represents a border district, her fear of local businesses leaving for Wisconsin is especially pertinent. But the district also is a key tourism area, and Osmond has made this a focus of her legislative proposals as a way to bring jobs and money to northeastern Illinois. We endorse Osmond over Democratic challenger Ed Erwin of Lindenhurst, a businessman and former lawyer. District 61 covers all of Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Newport Township, Wadsworth and Old Mill Creek and parts of Gurnee, Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.