Endorsement: Grant for Illinois House District 42
The Daily Herald Editorial Board Wheaton Republican Amy L. Grant is completing her first term as representative from House District 42 in what she aptly describes as a "very unique" session of the Illinois General Assembly. The former teacher with leadership experience in Wheaton and on the DuPage County Board approaches politics with a studied pragmatism that concentrates on accomplishment without relinquishing personal values.
She is a plain-spoken critic of the mismanagement underlying Illinois' financial mess, as well as a strong advocate for term limits, ethics reform and redistricting reform. Although she cites some important shortcomings in Gov. J.B. Pritzker's handling of the coronavirus crisis - notably the broad lockdown boundaries he initially established and what she saw as politicizing issues around the federal response - she also credits him with some success managing the pandemic, while urging him to involve legislators more in the next stages of the effort.
Her challenger is Ken Mejia-Beal, a financial manager, activist and community organizer who has been particularly devoted to issues of affordable housing, climate justice and health care. Mejia-Beal is an earnest and thoughtful candidate with experience working with, but not leading, government. He could use some time serving in elected office before moving into the legislature.
That's the route Grant took and it has served her and District 42 well. She gets our endorsement.
District 42 cuts through Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville, as well as parts of Lisle and Naperville.