Endorsement: Robert Stevens for House Dist. 46

This endorsement is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

With state Rep. Deb Conroy stepping down to run for DuPage County Board Chairman, a new legislator will represent Illinois House District 46.

Diane Blair-Sherlock, an attorney from Villa Park, is the Democratic candidate. The Republican in the race is Robert Stevens, a truck driver and small business owner from Villa Park.

Blair-Sherlock has advocated for children with special needs and has served on the Illinois State Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities. She also has been a volunteer in her community.

Stevens says mental health policy was one of the issues that motivated him to run for state office. He has worked for decades to help recovering addicts.

If elected, Blair-Sherlock said she plans to focus on education, including improving funding for special education programs and finding ways to recruit and retain teachers. She says she supports collective bargaining rights.

Stevens, meanwhile, says he's concerned about high taxes, corruption and the cost of living in the state. He pledges to listen to constituents in the district.

He says the Illinois legislature would be more effective if it had a better balance of Democrats and Republicans - not dominated by one-party rule. He also supports term limits for elected officials.

Stevens is a working-class guy who believes that he and others like him deserve better representation in Springfield.

He makes a reasonable argument and would represent that position well. Stevens is endorsed.