The hotly contested state House seat for District 45 kept watchers on the edge of their seats tonight. With a nearly 6 percent lead, Republican incumbent Christine Winger (R-Wood Dale) took the election over Democratic challenger Cynthia Borbas.
Borbas ran on a platform that focused on high property taxes, O'Hare Airport noise, the state budget and education. She pledged on social media that if elected she would not accept a paycheck until a budget was passed. She was endorsed by Planned Parenthood Illinois Action and the United Mine Workers of America.
Winger focused her campaign on creating a better job climate, improving the quality of life for Illinois families and education. She also supported reducing property taxes. She was in favor of imposing term limits on the legislature and fair maps to ensure that voters have real choices in political candidates.
The two candidates differed on solutions for the pension funding crisis. Borbas favored a millionaire's tax, but didn't offer specifics, while Winger favors changing the pension plan for new public employees to a defined contribution plan, such as a 401K-type plan.
With the win over Borbas, Winger will have the opportunity to work toward the changes she promoted in her campaign.
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