An open seat in a safe Democratic district (above) is seemingly hard to pass up. With Karen Yarbrough running for the double pension and patronage scraps of the inconsequential county Recorder of Deeds office, a good batch of Dems set their sights on her seat. Now we are down to four candidates and two top contenders — Rory Hoskins and Chris Welch.
And voters in River Forest may have the deciding votes.
Princess Dempsey is an energetic and bright candidate. We hope she stays active in local government. Beyonca Johnson is something of a puzzle to us and we cannot endorse her.
That brings us to Hoskins, a Forest Park village commissioner, and Welch, the longtime president of the Proviso public high schools.
We enthusiastically endorse Rory Hoskins. He is smart, thoughtful and realistic. Hoskins understands the grave issues citizens face as Springfield punts and poses. He will bring a critical eye to state government while continuing to focus on vital services.
Chris Welch? We have nothing but contempt for Chris Welch. Under his all powerful leadership he has driven Proviso public high schools to the very lowest measurable rungs of education in this state. While his supporters benefit, a generation of young students have been condemned by his arrogance. The state now runs the finances of the Proviso schools. And he wants us to send him to Springfield? Hubris. Greed. Malevolence.
