Willis keeps 77th Illinois House seat

Addison Democrat Kathleen Willis sailed to victory Tuesday in her re-election bid in the state's 77th House District.

With 61 of 62 precincts reporting, Willis captured a third term with 68 percent of the vote, unofficial results showed. Anthony Airdo, her Republican challenger from Melrose Park, garnered nearly 29 percent of the vote.

Willis, a full-time lawmaker and former Addison Elementary District 4 school board member, has joined fellow Democrats in her support of increasing taxes on millionaires to help alleviate the state's budget woes. All Illinois taxpayers currently pay a flat, 3.75 percent income tax.

Willis, a 54-year-old first elected in 2012, also has called for pulling the plug on the office of lieutenant governor.

Airdo has never held elected office and pointed to his negotiating skills as a sales director at a heating and air conditioning business.

The 77th district includes parts of Addison, Bensenville, Franklin Park and Wood Dale.