Endorsement: Weber for Illinois House Dist. 64

This article has been updated to correct that Steven Reick is the incumbent in Illinois House District 63.

Tom Weber hasn't been in Springfield long, but it's clear he has more to add to the conversation.

A small-business owner and former member of the Lake County Board, Weber worries a lot about flooding. His 64th House District abuts the Wisconsin border and includes the vast Chain O' Lakes State Park, which is an economic engine for the region.

When it rains in Wisconsin, he knows things could get bad downstream - for homeowners and businesses. He has been working to lower water levels in the Chain in advance of heavy rains in Wisconsin to ensure that the Chain is open for business every day.

He also worries about Illinoisans fleeing over the border for financial reasons. And he has been cajoling Wisconsin to join the vast majority of states in the national Driver's License compact, through which information on DUIs and other traffic-related offenses is shared.

Weber ran in 2018 after Barbara Wheeler became one of many House members to bow out.

Weber faces a challenge from Democrat Leslie Armstrong-McLeod, a media relations specialist/webmaster at Grayslake Elementary District 46 schools and leader of the district's support staff union. This is her first run for office.

In a joint editorial board interview with candidates in the 63rd and 64th House District races, Armstrong-McLeod said she supports taxing retirement income in Illinois, but she ended up agreeing with many of the positions espoused by House 63 incumbent Republican Steven Reick.

Weber's accomplishments are clear and his positions clearly defined. He is endorsed.

The 64th District includes the Chain O' Lakes State Park, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst and portions of Crystal Lake, Island Lake and Wauconda.