ENDORSEMENT: Michelle Mussman for Illinois House in 56th District

Democrat Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg emphasizes direct service to her district, no doubt a big part of why she’s been re-elected several times since 2010.

But she sees the big picture too, and brings a thoughtful approach to issues such as ethics and fiscal reform. The state’s new budget oversight task force must go “line by line to find places to save,” she says, but there are long-term consequences to cutting for the sake of cutting. If, for example, the state were to severely cut spending for human services, she argues, there’s a real danger of creating more expensive problems down the road.

We appreciate, in addition, Mussman’s commitment to early education, and to services and housing for the disabled.

Mussman is endorsed over Republican Scott Kegarise, who as Schaumburg Township Highway Commissioner has done a commendable job of addressing local flooding problems and long-deferred road maintenance.

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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