Dupage Policy Journal

Tuesday's election helped determine which Republicans and Democrats will be squaring off in five House races come November and also settled ballot questions on raising property taxes or issuing bonds in several taxing districts.

Property taxes and bond issues

Election results confirm the issue of raising taxes is still hotly contested. Voters in the Fox Valley Park District and the Bartlett Fire Protection District were split the issue. Fox Valley voters defeated a tax hike 55 percent to 45 percent, while Bartlett voters passed the measure, according to DuPage County’s election results page.

A proposal to issue $4.5 million in bonds by the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District passed 67 percent to 33 percent. 

Fox River and Countryside Fire District received the go-ahead from voters (55 percent to 45 percent) to hike property taxes according to the Consumer Price Index. 

House races

For the 46th House District, Republican Jay Kinzler won the primary and will face Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) in this fall’s general election, according to a report by Mysuburbanlife.com. The New York Times reported Kinzler received 80 percent of the vote in defeating Roger Orozco.

Kinzler opposed high taxes, claiming they hurt the economy and spur migration out of the state, Mysuburbanlife.com reported.

"It is not sustainable." he said in a previous interview with the DuPage Policy Journal. "It will reach a breaking point and for many people it has. That is why we see a huge exodus (out) of Illinois."

In District 49, Republican Tonia Khouri won with 66 percent of the vote to opponent Nic Zito’s 34 percent. A darling of the state GOP, Khouri’s endorsements by Kane County Chairman Chris Lauzen and DuPage County Chairman Brian Krajewski helped drive her victory. In the Nov. 6 general election, Khouri’s will be facing Democrat Karina Vill, the Chicago Daily Herald reported. Rep. Mike Fortner (R-Chicago) is not seeking a sixth term.

In  the 56th District, Republican Jillian Bemas defeated Char Kegarise with 60 percent of the vote, The New York Times reported. In the fall general election, Bemas will be taking on Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg).

As it was for many GOP candidates across the state this year, a key plank in Bemas’ platform was rallying against high taxes. Specifically, Bemas told the North Cook News she backed a 1 percent limit on property taxes.

Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub lost to Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) in the GOP primary in the 82nd District. Durkin, who captured 68 percent of the vote, held the seat from 1995 to 2003 and again since 2006. Straub had called Durkin a RINO (Republican in name only) who failed to effectively represent families. Durkin will be facing Tom Chlystek, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the fall.

In the GOP primary in House District 42 for the seat vacated by Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) for her gubernatorial bid,  Amy Grant came out the winner, receiving 66 percent of the vote. Her main challenger, Burt Minor, had come under fire for alleged sexist remarks against GOP attorney general candidate Erika Harold. Grant will face Democrat Kathleen Carrier on Nov. 6, Ballotpedia.org reports.