Endorsement: Morrison for Democrats in Cook County Board Dist. 15
It's been decades since a Democrat held the Cook County Board's District 15 seat, but with voters in the Northwest suburban district overwhelmingly backing Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race a pair of Democrats are vying for a chance to change that. They'll have their work cut out for them facing three-term incumbent Tim Schneider in November. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Kevin B. Morrison of Elk Grove Village and Ravi Raju of South Barrington.
Raju is a mystery to us. He did not respond to multiple phone, email and Facebook messages, nor did he reply to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire. His website states he works in health care administration, and his goals as commissioner would include a better life for District 15 citizens, pristine parks and forest preserves, and lower taxes. However, it offers no specific ideas for how he would accomplish those goals. Raju has passed on other media opportunities, as well.
With his lack of response, we cannot endorse Raju. But given Morrison's strength as a candidate, Raju's apparent disinterest may not matter.
Morrison, a graduate of Conant High School and DePaul University, is making his first bid for elected office, but has a solid understanding of county government and well-thought ideas about how it can help attract new business to the suburbs. As the son of a restaurant owner, Morrison saw up close the negative impact the county's failed soda tax had on suburban Cook businesses, and he criticizes the regressive nature of the tax. We're also interested in his idea to close loopholes that allow those using downtown high-rises to lower property taxes, a benefit not available to most suburban residents and small business owners. And we're encouraged by his pledge to be accessible to constituents year-round.
We endorse Morrison.