Suburban Cook's hot races: Heated state seats, school money questions
Suburban Cook County voters will be deciding highly contested state legislature races and the fate of proposals to finance school construction projects, when they go to the polls in Tuesday's election.
Here is a look at some of the top races and referendum questions that voters will see on their ballots.
Corrigan vs. Walker
Two Arlington Heights residents seeking outgoing state Rep. David Harris' 53rd House District seat tried to deflect criticism that they'd be controlled by Springfield insiders if elected.
Republican Eddie Corrigan is facing Democrat Mark Walker. Corrigan is a first-time candidate for elected office while Walker served in the House from 2009 to 2011 before losing to Harris after a redistricting.
Corrigan fended off Walker mailers that called him "a political operative who was hand-picked by his party bosses to protect the status quo." Walker stressed his independence from powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan.
The 53rd District includes parts of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights and Wheeling.
Miller Walsh vs. Edly-Allen
Differences on several issues - including whether teachers should be allowed to carry guns in Illinois classrooms - emerged in the campaigns of Republican state Rep. Helene Miller Walsh and Democratic opponent Mary Edly-Allen at a candidate forum in Barrington.
Edly-Allen, a teacher from Libertyville, and Miller Walsh are seeking the seat representing House District 51. The district includes all or portions of Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Libertyville, Mundelein and the Barrington area.
On the issue of allowing teachers to be armed in Illinois classrooms, Miller Walsh said she supports the idea for those who are well trained, in an effort to make students safer. Edly-Allen opposes the concept.
Bernas vs. Mussman
Democratic 56th House District state Rep. Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg and crosstown Republican rival Jillian Bernas will square off in a second consecutive general election.
Bernas, a Schaumburg Township District Library trustee since 2015, contends many residents want more effective representation and a change in the state's leadership.
However, Mussman said that through the time and attention she gives residents, she has built a reputation for reliability, consistency and honesty.
The 56th District includes parts of Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Roselle.
Referendum questions
Voters at Maine Township High School District 207 and Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 will decide if they want to pay more in property taxes toward proposed building upgrades.
District 21's referendum question seeks permission to borrow $63.9 million.
District 207 wants voter approval to borrow $195 million.
Harper College wants voter permission to borrow $180 million to help fund help fund campus upgrades over the next decade. Officials said taxes won't increase if approved, but a slight decrease would be negated.