Endorsement: Costa Howard for House Dist. 42
This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.
In the newly drawn Illinois House District 42, voters have a choice on Nov. 8 between two strong candidates — Democratic State Rep. Terra Costa Howard and Republican Stefanie Hood, both of Glen Ellyn.
We're impressed with Hood and the reasoned, common sense views she expresses.
But Costa Howard is an extraordinary public servant whose performance during four years in office displays the courage of her convictions.
Many legislators said they support redistricting reform. Costa Howard actually fought for it — relentlessly, even when most of her colleagues unfortunately caved.
Many Democrats danced around questions related to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, the once all-powerful head of the party in Illinois. Costa Howard worked for his ouster. In fact, she was one of the 19 House Democrats who opposed his leadership and one of the first to call for him to go.
The General Assembly's procedures still have problems — the lightning middle-of-the-night consideration of the SAFE-T Act certainly is an example of that — but it is better than it used to be and Costa Howard has played an important role in that improvement.
An attorney and former school board member in Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41, she is a strong, assertive and independent legislator who works proactively to protect abortion rights and for common sense gun control including a ban on the sale of assault weapons.
It is a shame that in endorsing Costa Howard we cannot therefore endorse Hood. She is a responsible Republican running to add political balance to a state now dominated by one party and normally we would herald that.
But Costa Howard's candidacy is exemplary, and she earns our endorsement in the 42nd District, which takes in parts of Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville and Wheaton.