Endorsement: Gong-Gershowitz for state House Dist. 17

State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, a Glenview Democrat, is just finishing her first term serving the 17th district.

But when House Speaker Michael Madigan was initially accused in a federal bribery investigation earlier this summer, the freshman lawmaker was quick to speak up, even when more seasoned legislators hesitated or couched their language: She immediately called for him to step down from his leadership roles in the House and the state's Democratic Party. An investigation at the highest levels "created a crisis of confidence," she said in a statement, "and undermined the integrity and public trust that leadership demands."

Anyone who knows her, she says, knows she is not afraid to speak her mind and do what is right. A good quality in a legislator, we'd say.

The attorney has served her district well and is proud of working on championing issues including women's health care access, public safety, protections for immigrant children, reaching across the aisle to help pass a balanced budget and working to increase government transparency. A self-proclaimed "policy wonk," she's quick with a thoughtful answer to nearly any legislative question - even the very complicated issue of pensions.

We also thought Green party challenger Chris Kruger, an attorney who handles civil rights cases, had a lot of good ideas.

But, frankly, the 17th District would do well to reelect Gong-Gershowitz.

Republican challenger Yesoe Yoon, a human relations commissioner for the village of Skokie, is an abortion rights opponent and running almost exclusively on that single issue. While it's admirable to have such passion, there are many more issues currently facing Illinois.

Gong-Gershowitz is endorsed.