ENDORSEMENT: Stephanie A. Kifowit for Illinois House in the 84th District

The Republican strategy in this race has been to drag House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, into it.

Incumbent Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit has been a highly effective legislator, and an extremely centrist Democrat, so about all that’s left for her critics is to bemoan that she has “supported” the unpopular Madigan.

In reality, Kifowit, a former Marine who served more than nine years on the Aurora City Council, has shown an independent streak, voting against budgets put forth by Democrats and for a property tax freeze. She understands the issues thoroughly — and she understands the strengths and limitations of the proposed solutions. We endorse Kifowit for a third term.

She is opposed by Patty Smith, a paralegal and resident of Aurora who once was named her city’s Volunteer of the Year.

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SUN-TIMES 2018 ILLINOIS VOTING GUIDE

Ahead of the historic 2018 elections, the Sun-Times is teaming up weekly with the Better Government Association, in print and online, to fact-check the truthfulness of the candidates. You can find all of the PolitiFact Illinois stories we’ve reported together here.

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• Illinois House 84th District Democratic nominee: Stephanie Kifowit

• Illinois House 84th District Republican nominee: Patty Smith

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• Illinois Senate endorsements for the Chicago area