Endorsement: Pihos in GOP primary for Illinois House District 48

Two staunch conservatives are running in the Republican primary for state representative from the 48th District, which takes in Glen Ellyn and Lombard and parts of Lisle and Wheaton. We endorse the incumbent, Sandra M. Pihos of Glen Ellyn, although the choice is by no means an easy call. At the outset, we must acknowledge our reservation that Pihos appears to give lip service rather than real support to public pension reform, a crucial aspect of any attempt to get Illinois' fiscal house in order. She voted against two reform measures that passed the House last year, and that's a cause for legitimate concern. However, we're otherwise impressed by her work to control spending in Springfield. She's been an active participant on the Illinois Audit Commission, a key tool in fighting waste; a strong proponent of budget transparency; and an effective foe of funding shift proposals that would increase the tax burdens on suburbanites. Lombard Trustee Peter Breen is no shrinking violet himself when it comes to fiscal issues and he has displayed leadership ability as both a trustee and, temporarily, as an acting village president. But we think Pihos' legislative experience provides her with a more practical view of how to get things done in Springfield.