Endorsement: Nekritz having an impact in House Dist. 57
Elaine Nekritz has held her 57th District House seat for a dozen years, but it's more recently that she has earned a reputation as one of the state's most knowledgeable lawmakers on pension matters. As chair of the pension committee, she has been key to any progress toward reform, and Illinois will continue to benefit from her pragmatic and collaborative approach on this pressing issue. For that reason we endorse her.
Nekritz, a Democrat from Northbrook, is House majority leader but touts her independence from superiors, pointing to a recent energy resolution backed by Speaker Michael Madigan that she opposed on the floor. Such boldness happens too infrequently in Springfield, and Nekritz has acquired the confidence to stand by her convictions. While we may not agree with some of her views on state spending, we can appreciate that voters know what they'll get with her. She favors a tax on services, pointing to surrounding states that have one. Her goal is to give businesses more surety, a predictable tax future they can work with.
Her challenger is Republican Bill Grossi, a political newcomer and tax lawyer from Mount Prospect who is motivated by Illinois residents' lack of trust in state government and who believes legislative positions should be full-time with no side jobs allowed, reducing the chance for corruption. But Nekritz's leadership, knowledge and no-nonsense attitude is what the General Assembly needs at this time.