ENDORSEMENT: Deanne Marie Mazzochi for Illinois House in 47th District

In close elections between two sharp and articulate candidates, the edge for an endorsement often goes to the individual with more experience. That’s the case for us here. We endorse incumbent Republican Deanne Marie Mazzochi, an attorney from Elmhurst.

Mazzochi first was elected to the Legislature in 2018, after serving as chair of the College of DuPage board. She had guided the college through a particularly rough time, its reputation reeling because of fiscal mismanagement.

Trained as a chemist, Mazzochi co-sponsored legislation in Springfield that put tougher restrictions on toxic ethylene oxide emissions in Illinois. The new law was sparked by the widespread community outcry over cancer-causing ETO emissions from the now-shuttered Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook.

Mazzochi has also been an advocate for more capital funding for Metra projects and restoring local community control over the location of 5G wireless equipment sites.

Democrat Jennifer Zordani, an attorney from Clarendon Hills, is smart and obviously capable, but she lacks Mazzochi’s experience in public office.

Illustration by Caroline Hurley

To read more Sun-Times endorsements, please go to suntimes.com/political-endorsements. For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.

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