Dan McConchie heads back to state senate

Republican state Sen. Dan McConchie easily won re-election over Democrat Tom Georges for the 26th Illinois Senate.

McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods resident, will continue representing the district, which is centered in the Barrington area and includes portions of central and southwest Lake County, plus parts of northwest Cook County, northeast Kane County and southeast McHenry County.

McConchie was running far ahead with 46,464 votes to Georges' 37,069 with most with results in. It was Georges' first try at elected office.

Georges, of Mundelein, and McConchie clashed on several issues.

McConchie said he's against shifting from a flat to a progressive income tax rate. Under a graduated tax system, which Georges supported, wealthier residents are supposed to pay more on their earnings than those of lesser means.

On the issue of recreational marijuana sales, McConchie said he's against legalization and that the Illinois Sheriffs' Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police oppose the idea. Georges said he favored the legal purchase of "limited amounts" of pot.

In 2016, McConchie won a three-way Republican primary and then was appointed to fill the remainder of state Sen. Dan Duffy's seat after he retired early. McConchie coasted to victory over Barrington Hills Democrat Kelly Mazeski in the general election.