ENDORSEMENT: Lakesia Collins for Illinois House in 9th District Democratic Primary

Union organizer Lakesia Collins has the potential to be an effective voice in Springfield for the issues she cares about, which include affordable housing, protecting collective bargaining rights, reducing gun violence and fighting for better access to health care.

These are, to be sure, boilerplate issues among Democratic office-seekers in Illinois, but Collins has demonstrated an ability to get things done. Most notably, as a Service Employees International Union Healthcare organizer, she helped line up support in the Illinois Legislature for the successful passage of the state’s 2010 nursing home reform bill.

Collins is endorsed over six other Democratic candidates vying for this open seat. The union for which she works is among several labor organizations which have ownership in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Incumbent Art Turner II — who has held the office since taking it over from his father, Art Turner Jr., in 2011 — is not seeking reelection.

Also running are Trina Mangrum, chief of staff to Ald, Jason Ervin (28th); political consultant Ty Cratic; businesswoman Sandra Schneller; Nicole Harvey, a director in U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis’ office; Cook County government employee Maurice Evans; and Aaron Turner, the incumbent’s brother.

Harvey, Evans and Turner did not submit candidate questionnaires.

Illustration by Caroline Hurley

For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary 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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